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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"