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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms 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 rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played 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 came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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