🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Rule-Bending in Tight Victory Against Leeds United - Farke Leeds manager Daniel Farke felt Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an injury in the second half of their Premier League clash Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed 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 worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break Second-Half Revival Thwarted Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for "Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented "This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution" Manager's Disappointment "I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season Tactical Adjustments However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players "During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden "We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right" Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings "Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added "We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room" Expert Analysis Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period" "Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period" "Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs" "It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"