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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"