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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

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