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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 the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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