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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for 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 changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"