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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"