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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager'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 fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed 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 defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"