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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"