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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"