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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope 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 new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"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 spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"