🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Rule-Bending in Narrow Victory Against Leeds - Farke Leeds boss Daniel Farke believed Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an injury during the second period of their Premier League clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break Second-Half Revival Denied Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for "Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated "This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution" Manager's Frustration "I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Late Winner Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term Strategic Adjustments However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad "During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden "We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right" Positive Aspects for Leeds The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table "To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued "We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Pundit Analysis Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period" "Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders" "It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"