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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even 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 allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward 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 take 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 was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"