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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"