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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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