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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope 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 fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner 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 notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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