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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"