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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"