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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"