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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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