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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"