🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Tight Win Against Leeds United - Daniel Farke Leeds United manager Daniel Farke believed Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an knock in the second period of their Premier League clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break Second Period Comeback Denied Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for "Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated "This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution" Coach's Disappointment "I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain" Late Deciding Goal Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term Strategic Changes Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad "During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden "We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right" Encouraging Aspects for Leeds The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings "Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added "We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room" Pundit Analysis Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half" "Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders" "It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"