🔗 Share this article Man City Accused of Rule-Bending in Narrow Victory Over Leeds United - Farke Leeds manager Daniel Farke believed Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an injury during the second period of their top-flight clash Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break Second Period Comeback Thwarted However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for "Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated "It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution" Manager's Frustration "I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited" "If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Late Deciding Goal Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season Tactical Adjustments However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players "At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden "We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right" Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings "Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added "We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Expert Analysis Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half" "Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs" "It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"