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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," 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 like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"