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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward 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 half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"