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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised 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 might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"