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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"