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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"