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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? 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 questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"