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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate 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 game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 centre-backs"

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