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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give 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 belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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