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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should 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' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"