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

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

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