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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"