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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we 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 actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for 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 played in this second half"

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"