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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

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