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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight 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 offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"