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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"