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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds 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 responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"