🔗 Share this article Man City Accused of Rule-Bending in Narrow Win Against Leeds United - Farke Leeds United boss Daniel Farke felt Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an knock in the second half of their top-flight clash Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval Second-Half Revival Thwarted However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for "Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated "It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution" Manager's Disappointment "I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited" "If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint" Late Deciding Goal Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term Strategic Changes Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad "During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden "We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right" Positive Aspects for Leeds The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table "Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued "We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room" Expert Analysis Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half" "Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half" "Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs" "It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"