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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of 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 authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt 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 injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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