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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," 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 in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"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 bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"