Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City of taking advantage of a stoppage during City’s 3-2 win in the Premier League on Saturday, hinting that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma feigned an injury to get manager Pep Guardiola to give new instructions.
City took an early lead with goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol putting them in the lead in the opening 25 minutes at The Etihad, before Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled a goal back in the 49th minute.
Goalkeeper Donnarumma requested medical attention a few minutes later, and Guardiola gathered his team to give additional instructions.
«It’s not the elephant in the room. Why he (Donnarumma) went down was clear. It’s smart,» Farke told reporters after the match.
“It’s within the rules, so I can’t complain,” he said.
«If I like it? If it fits within the meaning of fair play? If it should be so? I will keep this to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution.»
Guardiola’s change in tactics did not immediately help City, with Lukas Nmecha leveling the match in the 69th minute from a rebound after his penalty was saved by Donnarumma.
But City rallied late in the match and Foden found a winner in the 91st minute. He scored his second goal of the evening and helped his team to all three points.
“We have to teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship,” Farke said.
«If we just try to circumvent the rules and even fake an injury to make an extra team talk, I personally don’t like that.»
City climbed to 25 points in 13 games in the table, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal to four points. Guardiola’s team will play their next match against Fulham on Tuesday.
Published on November 30, 2025
