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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled 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"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"