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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"