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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded 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 halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"