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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "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 manner they have played in this second period"

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

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