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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"