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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? 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 fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

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