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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper 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 scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"