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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"