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

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form 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 great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"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 questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"