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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone 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 ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. 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 make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"