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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper 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 finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? 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 governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester 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"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"