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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"