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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

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

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"