🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Narrow Win Against Leeds - Daniel Farke Leeds United manager Daniel Farke believed Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an injury during the second period of their top-flight clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval Second Period Comeback Thwarted However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for "Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated "It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution" Coach's Disappointment "I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied" "Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain" Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season Tactical Adjustments Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players "At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden "We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right" Encouraging Signs for Leeds United The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings "Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued "We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room" Expert Analysis Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period" "Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period" "Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs" "It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"