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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

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

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed 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 physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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