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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"