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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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