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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped 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 bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control 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 vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"