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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional 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

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"