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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"