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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"