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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? 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 resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"