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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. 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 governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy 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 criticised 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 pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"