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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within 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 resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"