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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted 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 bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense 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 fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, 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 United 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 often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"