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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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