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Leeds 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 made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"