🔗 Share this article Man City Alleged of Gamesmanship in Narrow Win Against Leeds - Farke Leeds United manager Daniel Farke felt Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second period of their top-flight encounter Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval Second-Half Comeback Thwarted Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for "Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented "This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution" Coach's Disappointment "I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied" "If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint" Late Deciding Goal Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term Strategic Changes Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad "At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden "We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right" Positive Aspects for Leeds United The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table "Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added "We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Pundit Opinion Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half" "Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders" "It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"