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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"