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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 the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just 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 like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"