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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock 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 can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed 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 came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"