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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"