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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with 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 moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"