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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"