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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds 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 clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"