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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"