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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep 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 changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"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 often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"