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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"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 spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive 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 City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"