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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"