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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"