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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"