🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Rule-Bending in Narrow Victory Against Leeds United - Farke Leeds United manager Daniel Farke believed Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second half of their top-flight encounter Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval Second-Half Revival Denied Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for "Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented "It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution" Manager's Frustration "I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited" "Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term Tactical Changes However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad "During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden "We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right" Positive Aspects for Leeds United The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table "To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued "We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Expert Analysis Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period" "Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders" "It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"