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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really 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 improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory 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 played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"