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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. 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 reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

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