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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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 control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"