🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Gamesmanship in Narrow Win Over Leeds - Daniel Farke Leeds boss Daniel Farke felt Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second period of their Premier League encounter Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium Leeds made the worst possible beginning 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 Comeback Thwarted Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for "Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated "This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution" Manager's Disappointment "I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited" "If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term Tactical Changes However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players "At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden "We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right" Positive Signs for Leeds The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the standings "Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added "We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room" Expert Analysis Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected 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 performance with the way they have played in this second period" "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 physically challenged the City centre-backs" "It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"