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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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