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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions 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 approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

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

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"