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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"