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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

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

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"