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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"