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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt 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 allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward 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 manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"