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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"