Monk exit fires fans as Kalvin shows way
FLIER FOR NEW BOSS
KALVIN PHILLIPS made sure the Thomas Christiansen reign at Leeds got off to a memorable start.
And the 4,800 ecstatic travelling Leeds supporters wasted no time in reminding former boss Garry Monk what he left behind when he quit the club for Middlesbrough in May.
Academy product Phillips celebrated a new contract by scoring twice in a hectic first half which featured four goals and plenty of insults chanted in memory of Monk, who just missed out on the play-offs last season.
Based on this performance, and nine new signings, Christiansen may go one better this term.
He confirmed that Leeds are about to sign Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan and said: “This was just what I expected the Championship to be like.
“It was the tough game I expected and a result I dreamed of.”
It took just seven minutes for Christiansen to celebrate the opening goal after Phillips was left unmarked at a corner and calmly side-footed home. The prolific Chris Wood doubled their lead on the halfhour. Kemar Roofe skipped down the right and crossed to the far post, where Yp @8E N?@KK<CC Ezgjan Alioski nodded into the sixyard box and Wood headed home.
Phil Parkinson’s side halved the deficit on 39 minutes from a Josh Vela corner as Gary Madine steamed into the box and headed in.
Two minutes later Bolton were caught appealing for offside as Pablo Hernandez’s through ball found Wood. The New Zealand star waited for the keeper to commit before squaring for Phillips to convert into an empty net.
There was hope for the Trotters on 67 minutes when Leeds sub Conor Shaughnessy lost his head, and nearly robbed Madine of his shirt, presenting Adam Le Fondre with a spot-kick which he blasted home.
Wood is being tracked out by several Premier League sides and Christiansen said: “He is important to us. You never know what will happen, but I am confident he will stay.”
Parkinson, who will sign a new contract this week, said: “We didn’t handle the first-day scenario in front of the TV cameras as well as we should, but I was pleased with the response.”