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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply 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 within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised 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 massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"