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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, 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. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side 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 last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display 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 possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester 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 criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"