Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believed Man City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an knock during the second half of their top-flight encounter
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad
The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval
However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption
And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for
"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated
"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"
"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"
"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"
Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season
Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation
Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players
"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden
"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"
The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation
However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings
"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added
"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"
Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"
"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner 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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"
"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"
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