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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"