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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 top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"