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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"