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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"