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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"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," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"