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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"