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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"