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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game 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 smart. If I like it? 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 authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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