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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward 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 period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"