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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start 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, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell 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 find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"