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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. 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 fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game 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 order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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