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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch 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 suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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