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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 got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within 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 for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were 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 Manchester City centre-backs"

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