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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"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 an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- 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 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 often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"