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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And 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 sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"