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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"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 within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"