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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play 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 meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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