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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive 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 City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"