🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Narrow Victory Against Leeds - Farke Leeds boss Daniel Farke believed Man City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an injury during the second half of their top-flight encounter Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval Second-Half Revival Denied However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for "Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated "This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution" Coach's Frustration "I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited" "If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain" Late Deciding Goal Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season Tactical Adjustments Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad "At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden "We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right" Encouraging Signs for Leeds United The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table "To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued "We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room" Expert Opinion Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half" "Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs" "It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"