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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

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

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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