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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team 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 deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. 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 crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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