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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"