Leeds manager Daniel Farke felt Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second period of their top-flight encounter
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad
Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval
However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart
Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for
"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented
"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"
"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"
"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even 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 can't complain"
Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term
Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players
"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden
"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"
The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation
Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings
"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added
"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester 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 half"
"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"
"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"
Elena Vance is a digital strategist and creative director with over a decade of experience in transforming brands through innovative design.