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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for 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 performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"