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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"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 everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came 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 City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"