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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 top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. 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 reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt 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

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"