🔗 Share this article Manchester City Accused of Rule-Bending in Narrow Victory Over Leeds United - Farke Leeds United boss Daniel Farke felt Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second half of their Premier League clash Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval Second Period Revival Thwarted Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for "Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated "It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution" Manager's Frustration "I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited" "Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply 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 allowed by the rules I can't complain" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season Tactical Changes However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players "During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden "We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections" Encouraging Signs for Leeds The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table "To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added "We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room" Expert Opinion Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period" "Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period" "Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders" "It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"