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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"