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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"