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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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