Joe Hart has moved to defend Manchester City and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s behaviour during City’s dramatic 3–2 win over Leeds United, pushing back against criticism from Daniel Farke after a tense afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
The former City goalkeeper suggested that the Leeds boss had overstepped the mark by questioning the Italian keeper’s injury during the second half, insisting that such judgments are not for managers to make in the heat of a Premier League contest.
City, who were under pressure for long stretches, required a late intervention from Phil Foden to avoid dropping points.
His winner ensured that Leeds are set to reach December lodged in the relegation zone, deepening the scrutiny already gathering around Farke’s position.
The match came against the backdrop of speculation about Leeds’ managerial future. Hours before kick-off, Tim Sherwood had claimed that Farke could be dismissed in the coming days — remarks that would only add weight to the narrative that the German coach was entering this fixture under unusual stress.
With daunting encounters against Chelsea and Liverpool looming, Saturday’s defeat did little to provide breathing space.
Yet it was not the scoreline alone that stirred emotion. After full-time, Farke clearly cut the figure of a man irritated by more than just the result.
His grievances were focused squarely on what he saw as City’s deliberate disruption of play, particularly in moments where Leeds were gaining momentum.
The flashpoint came midway through the second half. At 2–1, with Leeds building pressure, Ruben Dias was seen gesturing to Donnarumma, who then went to ground.
The stoppage brought on medical staff and, crucially, provided Pep Guardiola with a window to gather his players for a brief tactical talk.
The delay incensed the Leeds manager, who felt the incident crossed an ethical line even if it did not break any written rule.
Retired referee Keith Hackett weighed in afterwards, branding the episode an example of “cheating” due to the apparent use of simulated injury to engineer a mid-match coaching moment.
It echoed a wider debate in English football about how far teams can go in manipulating stoppages without technically committing an infringement.
“It was obvious” – Leeds boss Insists after the match
Speaking after the defeat, Farke made no attempt to hide his irritation. He argued that everyone at the stadium could see what was happening, but stated that his criticism was limited by the fact that the actions remained within football’s laws.
“Everyone knows why he went down,” he said.
“It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it’s within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution.”
The German coach revealed that he had challenged the fourth official over the situation.
“I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied.”
Farke continued by linking moments like these to the broader question of what type of football culture the Premier League wishes to foster.
“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 even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can’t complain.”
However, as has often been the case when allegations of tactical manipulation arise, opinions among pundits were far from aligned.
On Match of the Day, the incident became the central talking point, with Joe Hart and Danny Murphy offering contrasting interpretations.
Their debate mirrored the split within football circles between those who view strategic stoppages as part of the modern game and those who believe such moves erode the sport’s integrity.
Hart dismisses talk of improper behaviour
Hart, speaking from the perspective of an ex-City keeper, defended the club and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s behaviour. He challenged Farke’s right to make assumptions about a player’s physical state.
“I don’t know how he’s medically allowed to say Donnarumma wasn’t injured. He might have been feeling his hamstring, but it’s not something we haven’t seen before,” Hart argued, noting that elite clubs rarely push players into unnecessary theatrics when league points are on the line.
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He also pointed to City’s track record, suggesting that their sustained success has been built on an astute understanding of football’s laws and how to operate within them.
“You don’t win that many Premier Leagues and that many titles without knowing the rules,” he added.
Murphy, analysing the same footage, drew a different conclusion. To him, the stoppage appeared so coordinated that it was difficult to interpret it as anything other than a deliberate moment for tactical reinforcement.
The former Liverpool midfielder also lightened the mood with a pointed observation, noting that Gianluigi Donnarumma’s behaviour appeared to show no lingering effects from his earlier discomfort.
“He was alright when he ran to celebrate the goal like an Olympic sprinter,” he said.
