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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club 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 United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"