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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations 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 within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"