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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"