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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper 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 scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following 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 formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control 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 make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"