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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"