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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper 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 finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. 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 sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"