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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish 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 everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but 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 changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"