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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep 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 deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"