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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations 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 within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"