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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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