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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 Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers 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 meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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