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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

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