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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for 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 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 came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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