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Leeds United manager 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 beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. 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"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"