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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net 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 following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"