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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"