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Patrick Vieira takes aim at Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips
Patrick Vieira has taken aim at Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips after he accused Wilfred Zaha of diving after the 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park.
The England international returned from his long-term hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in an unsatisfactory performance for the 26-year-old.
Flying to the defence of the Eagles’ star player, Viera fired back at the Whites midfielder in his pre-Southampton press conference.
He said: “It’s quite a strange comment.
“I think that game you can all see and watch the game again, and I think some of them [Leeds players] were lucky not to get a yellow card because I think the plan was clear.
“It was to target Wilfried. Wilfried remained calm and concentrated on his game. I think he had a really good game.”
Leader.
Phillips is back with a bang, isn’t he? The maestro slammed the Leeds United performance after the draw at Selhurst Park which is what the team have sorely missed in his absence.
Many players would have been happy to make their return from injury, take a vital point in the Whites’ relegation scrap and call it a day but not him.
He is a leader and continuously sets the tone for his teammates – a truly invaluable member of the squad.
The central midfielders’ comments on Zaha were spot on too. The Palace winger spent more time on the floor than he tried to play his football and Phillips made sure he called him out for it.
Jesse Marsch will be buzzing to have him back in the squad in the crucial run-in from now until the end of the season.
The Whites need everyone at it to avoid being dragged into the relegation dogfight Burnley and Everton are in the midst of and Phillips will be a huge boost in doing that.
In other Leeds United news, Marsch has outlined a major new Patrick Bamford injury update at Leeds.