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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break 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 little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to 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 United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"