Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

KALAMITY KID

England new-boy Phillips gives Wolves a helping hand with the winner

- BY DAVID ANDERSON @Mirrorande­rson

KALVIN Phillips was Leeds’ head boy yet again - but for the wrong reasons.

Phillips nodded Raul Jimenez’s shot past Illan Meslier to give Wolves victory (above) in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate.

It was a tough break on Phillips, who has been Leeds’ main man under Marcelo Bielsa.

The home-grown midfielder has been key t o L e e d s’ renaissanc­e and their successful return to the big-time.

It was a painful lesson in how fickle football can be after a successful few weeks in which he had made his debuts in the P re mi e r L e a g u e a n d for England.

Wolv e s can argu e they deserved to record a fourth successive l eague win over Leeds for the first time since 1960. They turned the game on its head in the second half after being outgunned in the first 45 minutes.

Leeds wilted under their pressure after Bielsa’s side had dominated the first half.

Leeds were dealt a blow before kick-off when skipper Liam Cooper, who had a late fitness test on his groin, felt some discomfort in the warmup and was replaced by Pascal Struijk.

Saturday ’s Goodison Park v i l l ain s Dav i d Co o t e and Michael Oliver had their roles reversed last night and were again in the spotlight when Leeds had a penalty claim.

Helder Costa went down as Joao Moutinho stuck out an arm, but neither referee Coote nor VAR official Oliver felt there was enough contact to justify a spot-kick.

Patrick Bamford had a headed goal disallowed (right).

It was all Leeds and Costa shot wide against his old club after Rodrigo laid off Bamford’s cross. Luke Ayling saw a shot blocked before he crossed for Rodrigo to direct a header wide.

Southgate would have been impressed by Conor Coady’s goalsaving challenge on Bamford as the Leeds striker attempted to convert Jack Harrison’s cross.

Leeds kept up the pressure and Rui Patricio saved Rodrigo’s shot at the back post.

Yet for all their territory and possession, Wolves might have scored just before the interval from the best chance of the half. Leander Dendoncker crossed from the right, Romain Saiss pul l ed it back for Dani el Podence, whose vicious shot was expertly saved by Meslier.

That chance marked a turning point as Wolves took charge.

Th ey thought th ey had scored when Saiss brilliantl­y volleyed home only for the Coote-oliver double act to rule another goal out for offside.

Oliver was definitely right and Podence was marginally offside in the build-up.

Wolves were transforme­d and Meslier saved Leeds again when he dived to his right to push away Podence’s shot.

Wolves’ pressure paid off on 70 minutes when Jimenez’s shot was deflected home by Phillips.

Leeds responded and substitute Pablo Hernandez had a shot deflected over as the home side went close to an equaliser.

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