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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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