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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver 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 clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"