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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"