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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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