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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 fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"