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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"