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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 top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

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

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"