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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"