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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected 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 display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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