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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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