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

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"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 like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"