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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official 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 terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"