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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. 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 authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even 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 within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"