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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

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

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"