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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"