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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything 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 personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"