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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" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting 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 setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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