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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players 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 an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

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

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned 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 found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"