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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," 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 clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

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