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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," 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 smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't 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 attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came 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 defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"