🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Rule-Bending in Tight Victory Against Leeds United - Daniel Farke Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believed Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second half of their top-flight encounter Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break Second Period Revival Thwarted Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following 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 receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for "Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated "This isn't 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 in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution" Coach's Frustration "I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied" "Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season Strategic Adjustments Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players "During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said 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 improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right" Positive Signs for Leeds The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table "To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added "We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room" Pundit Analysis Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable 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 changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders" "It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"