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Leeds United 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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for 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 performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"