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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

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 regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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