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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"