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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, 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 might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"