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TWO-GOAL Phil Foden secured a 91st-minute winner and praised Pep Guardiola’s mid-game talk for motivating Manchester City to triumph in “one of the wildest games.”
However, an incensed boss Daniel Farke accused Gianluigi Donnarumma of ‘faking’ an injury to gather his players.
Phil Foden scores his second of the match to secure a win over Leeds United 3-2Credit: Getty Images
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was visibly frustratedCredit: Getty Images
The Whites were dominating when City’s goalkeeper collapsed just before the hour mark.
According to the rules, goalkeepers are not required to leave the pitch for treatment, unlike outfield players.
Farke, who is working hard to keep his job, expressed his frustration: “Everyone knows why he went down, right? The elephant in the room. There’s a reason.
“You can simulate an injury to hold discussions with your team. If it’s within the rules, it’s clever.
“But does it reflect fair play? I have my doubts.
“If we don’t educate our players about fair play and sportsmanship, and instead they try to exploit the rules for their benefit, it’s not something I personally endorse.
“I asked the fourth official at that moment if they could do something, but they said, ‘Our hands are tied, we can’t do anything.’”
City opened the scoring just 59 seconds into the match, and Josko extended their lead midway through the first half.
However, Leeds shocked City when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored four minutes into the second half.
As the Whites sought an equalizer, Guardiola held a tactical masterclass to help his players adjust to the visitors’ 3-5-2 formation.
Lukas Nmecha equalized after his penalty was saved, but Leeds faced a late setback.
Foden netted in injury time to elevate City to second place — four points behind leaders Arsenal.
England star Foden stated that Guardiola’s motivational speech helped the team regain their composure.
He noted: “During the brief break, the manager gathered us to adapt to their formation.
“We had several half chances, and eventually I found some space and scored.
“This is certainly one of the wildest games I've been part of. We dominated the first half.
“They altered their system in the second half, which stifled our momentum.
“The title race is never simple; there are always ups and downs, and times when you struggle to find your rhythm, and we’ve experienced that.
“There are still areas for improvement. We’re thrilled with the outcome.
“The belief and unity shone through at the end.
“Hopefully, this will propel us forward from here.
“I was eager to play and demonstrate that I could still score goals.”
Man City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with match-winner Phil FodenCredit: Getty Images
Born in Leeds, Foden faced a challenging match against his childhood club as he sought his 100th Premier League goal.
However, Guardiola, whose team is set to visit Fulham on Tuesday, remarked: “He’ll achieve that in the next game.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such performance from Phil. He’s done it countless times.
“Phil is having an excellent season. It’s crucial to stay as close to the top as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Phil Foden say about Guardiola's influence on the game?
Phil Foden mentioned that Guardiola's mid-game talk helped the team adapt to Leeds' formation and regain control of the match.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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