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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. 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 sense of sportsmanship? If it should 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"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised 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 BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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