TWO-GOAL Phil Foden grabbed a 91st-minute winner — then saluted Pep Guardiola’s mid-game team-talk for inspiring Manchester City to win “one of the wildest games”.
But seething Leeds boss Daniel Farke accused Gianluigi Donnarumma of ‘faking’ an injury so Guardiola could gather his players.
The Whites were on top when City’s goalkeeper dropped to the ground just before the hour-mark.
Laws state that keepers are not required to leave the pitch for treatment — unlike outfield players.
Farke, who is fighting to save his job, fumed: “Everyone knows why he went down, right? The elephant in the room. There’s a reason.
“You can do a fake injury in order to do additional team talks. But if it’s within the rules. It’s smart.
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“But is it in the sense of fair play? I would have my doubts.
“If we don’t educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play, sportsmanship and you just try to bend the rules to your advantage, it’s nothing I personally like
“I asked the fourth official at this point, do you want to do something, ‘no our hands are tied, we can’t do anything.”
Foden scored the opener after 59 seconds then Josko doubled City’s advantage mid-way through the first half.
But Leeds stunned City when Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted four minutes after the break.
With the Whites pushing for a leveller, Guardiola called a mid-game tactics masterclass to help his players cope with the visitors’ 3-5-2 formation.
Lukas Nmecha equalised from a rebound after his penalty was saved — but there was a late sting for Leeds.
Foden struck in injury time to move City up to second — four points behind leaders Arsenal.
England star Foden claimed Guardiola’s pep talk helped City pull themselves together.
He said: “When there was a short break, the manager got us together and we adapted to their formation.
“We had a few half chances and finally I found a bit of space and found the bottom of the net.
“It’s up there as one of the wildest games. We had full control in the first half.
“They changed their system in the second half and we couldn’t get going.
“The title race is never straightforward. There’s always ups and downs and periods where you can’t seem to get going and we’ve had that.
“There are still things we can improve. We’re delighted with the result.
“The belief and togetherness came through at the end.
“Hopefully that’s the case today that we can kick on from here.
“I was so hungry to play and prove to myself I could still score goals.”
Leeds-born Erling Haaland had a tough time against his boyhood club, as he chased his 100th Prem goal.
But Guardiola, whose team visit Fulham on Tuesday, said: “He’ll do it next game.
“It’s not the first time we saw that from Phil. A thousand, thousand, million times he’s done it.
“Phil is doing a really good season. It’s important to be as close as possible to the top.”
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