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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"