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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point 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 fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"