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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"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 within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"