🔗 Share this article Manchester City Alleged of Rule-Bending in Narrow Victory Against Leeds United - Daniel Farke Leeds boss Daniel Farke believed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an knock during the second half of their top-flight clash Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval Second Period Comeback Denied However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for "Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated "This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution" Coach's Frustration "I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied" "Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Stoppage-Time Winner Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term Tactical Adjustments Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players "At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden "We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections" Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings "To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added "We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room" Expert Analysis Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period" "Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period" "Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs" "It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"