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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League 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 lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"