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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 made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"