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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not 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 within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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