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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"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 in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"