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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played 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 came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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