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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently 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 looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"