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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"