🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Rule-Bending in Tight Win Over Leeds United - Daniel Farke Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believed Man City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an knock during the second half of their Premier League clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break Second Period Comeback Thwarted However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for "Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated "This isn't 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 in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution" Coach's Frustration "I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season Strategic Adjustments However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad "During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden "We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right" Positive Signs for Leeds United The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the standings "To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added "We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Pundit Opinion Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected 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 display with the way they have played in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs" "It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"