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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"