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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before 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 immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely 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 crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"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 frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"