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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

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

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"