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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

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

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"