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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for 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"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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