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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"