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Leeds head coach 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 poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack 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, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty 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 crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"