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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock 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"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially 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 reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty 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"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"