‘MOTM by a long way’ – Exclusive: Pundit wowed by ‘Outstanding’ Leeds ace in 1-0 win v Burnley
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson was surprised by Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to play with three at the back when Leeds United beat Burnley 1-0 at Elland Road on Sunday.
Patrick Bamford’s early penalty kick proved decisive in the showdown in West Yorkshire but Bielsa’s decision to change his system was perhaps the biggest factor in protecting that one-goal lead for 85 minutes.
Kalvin Phillips dropped into the back-three alongside Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk and did an incredible job of helping Leeds keep it solid at the back and limit chances for the Burnley forwards.
Robinson has heaped praise on Phillips’ role in the back-line and claims he was easily the best player on the pitch in the narrow win.
“He was outstanding,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“He played a little bit deeper and when they played long balls, he was the one that dropped off. He played more like a sweeper in a back-three. It’s a role we’ve seen him play before and it’s a role we know he can do but [against Burnley] he was outstanding.
“There were a lot of questions about Burnley’s aerial threat and their threat from set-plays and how Leeds would be able to deal with it. Pascal Struijk came into the game and you looked at it and thought: ‘Oh, Ayling and Struijk at centre-half, there’s going to be an aerial bombardment coming from Burnley’. But Bielsa surprised us all with three at the back.
“Kalvin Phillips was man of the match by a long way for the way he adapted and held the other two centre-halves together.”
According to stats by Wyscout, Burnley managed 14 shots at goal against Leeds on Sunday but had a low xG of 1.24. That suggests the Clarets should have scored but solid defending by the Whites won the day at Elland Road.
Phillips’ role in the defence was pivotal. He made 14 interceptions, 11 recoveries, four clearances, won all four of his loose ball duels and even one won crucial aerial duels inside the penalty area.
According to Wyscout, no player made more interceptions than Phillips in the whole of the Premier League at the weekend.
Phillips has been amazing for Leeds under Bielsa but his performance on Sunday was perhaps his best outing in the Premier League even though he was hardly used in his natural holding midfield role.
In other Leeds United news, Michael Owen has predicted the result for Leeds’ showdown with West Brom.