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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just 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 injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"