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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory 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 performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"