BOWEN NERVES GAVE WAY TO FIRST DAY JOY
READING PRESTON 1 0 NEW Reading boss Mark Bowen admitted after winning his first game in charge the nerves had been jangling.
And his Royals side kept them at full stretch by leaving it until the 98th minute to score the winner.
Bowen had spent 20 years as an assistant. But a week ago he moved from the sporting director’s office at the Madejski Stadium to the manager’s after the sacking of Jose Gomes. And he aimed a barb at those who suggested he had used his position as sporting director to undermine Gomes and pick himself as successor.
“When I woke up this morning the butterflies were going in the stomach and you think, ‘Well, here we are. This is what you have waited for, for 20 years’,” said Bowen (above with hero Matt Miazga).
“I’ve never applied for manager’s jobs. I‘m loyal.”
Touching on Jose Gomes’ situation, he added: “I genuinely feel he was unlucky. It’s a brutal game.”
It felt that way for Preston, after keeper Declan Rudd parried Jordan Obita’s shot into the path of Miazga. “We were telling Jordan not to shoot but it bounced right to me,” said the American defender.
“Instead of being brave and risking it, I thought we wanted too much time on the ball and gave them too much,” said Preston boss Alex Neil. “When we do that we are not as good a side.” READING: PRESTON: REF: ATT:
Phillips IT has been some week Kalvin Phillips. for
The Leeds-born midfielder and lifelong fan got to meet his heroes as part of the club’s 100-year celebrations. The hometown hero then secured his own place in United history by scoring the only goal in front of the Kop.
Phillips is already a favourite with the Elland Road crowd and admits netting the winner in the centenary match with Leeds legends looking on was an amazing moment.
“I used to sit in the Kop watching them score goals and it was kind of surreal,” he said.
“I am very happy that I got the goal and I am glad that they were cheering me on as well.
“I was lucky enough to meet Lucas Radebe and I got a photo. I have seen Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio as well, they are players I grew up watching.
“It just made this week that little bit extra special with the legends being here. I think it was just written in the stars and I am very happy to have scored.”
Phillips pounced for the 65thRef: Robert Jones Att: 35,731 minute winner to mark the centenary celebrations with a win.
Jude Bellingham’s pass sold Maxime Colin short and Jack Harrison nipped in to win possession and play in Phillips, who fired low and hard under Lee Camp.
The mistake for the goal was hard on the visitors, who looked good value for a point after a muchimproved second-half display.
Defender Harlee Dean believes the Blues are evolving under new boss Pep Clotet to play a more attacking style and can take plenty of heart from this defeat.
Dean said: “It’s a tough one to take. They are the best team in the league, but we came here to get something.
“The way we are playing this year we are going to be a bit open at the back, but it gives the boys up front the chance to attack and do something special. The second half gives us something to build on.” LEEDS: BIRMINGHAM: MOTM KALVIN PHILLIPS (LEEDS)