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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed 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 start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell 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 fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came 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 might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"