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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"