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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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