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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"