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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within 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 solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"