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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"