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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock 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 have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"