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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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