🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Narrow Victory Over Leeds United - Farke Leeds boss Daniel Farke believed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock in the second period of their Premier League clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break Second Period Comeback Thwarted However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for "Everybody 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 clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution" Manager's Disappointment "I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited" "If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury 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" Late Deciding Goal Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season Strategic Changes Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players "At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden "We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections" Positive Signs for Leeds United The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings "To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added "We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room" Expert Opinion Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half" "Leeds United 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 frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs" "It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"