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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"