Stephen Warnock reacts to Kalvin Phillips’ display in Leeds draw

Stephen Warnock has told Sky Sports News (broadcast on 23/11; 10:23) that Kalvin Phillips represented everything that was good about Leeds United’s display in their draw on Sunday.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side produced a much better performance against Arsenal at Elland Road. They were unable to score, but they certainly dominated the contest and came agonisingly close to a winner on a number of occasions.

(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Leeds looked a lot stronger defensively. And you could certainly understand why some fans would put that down to Phillips’s return to the side after missing the previous three fixtures through injury.

And Warnock certainly felt that the 24-year-old coming back into the side made a huge difference to their performance.

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

“He was one of the reasons why Leeds kept a clean sheet, his reading, his anticipation of the game, his power when he goes into tackles, his tactical knowledge,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I don’t think people realise how fast he is. He’s not one of these players who looks really quick. He’s deceptively quick. His passing range on the day as well, starting attacks, spreading the play.

“He was everything good about Leeds’ performance yesterday. They’ve obviously missed him hugely.”

It will be a big relief for supporters that he was able to see out the game after going down injured during the second-half.

In fairness to Leeds, it must not be forgotten that they beat Aston Villa 3-0 without him. But they suffered in the following two games.

Phillips certainly took little time to get back up to speed upon his return. And had they had more luck in front of goal, he could have quite easily played a vital role in a hugely impressive victory.