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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to 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 half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned 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 could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"