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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable 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 performed in this second period"

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

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