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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, 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 able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"