🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Tight Win Against Leeds United - Daniel Farke Leeds manager Daniel Farke believed Man City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second period of their Premier League clash Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval Second-Half Comeback Thwarted However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for "Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented "This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution" Manager's Frustration "I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season Strategic Adjustments However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players "At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden "We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections" Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings "To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued "We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room" Pundit Analysis Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period" "Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half" "Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs" "It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"