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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

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 the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"