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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. 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 ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"