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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"