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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 fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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