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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"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 football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, 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 consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"