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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 fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"