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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense 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"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. 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 make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"