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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after 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 in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"