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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper 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 beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, 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 equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were 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 appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"