Kalvin Phillips' ability to 'sense danger' has been hailed after the Leeds United man starred in defence for the Whites in their narrow 1-0 win over Burnley.
Marcelo Bielsa's side bounced back from their heavy defeat to Manchester United by earning a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday thanks to Patrick Bamford's fifth-minute penalty.
In an uncharacteristic performance, Leeds had to rely on a rearguard performance as a makeshift defence missing their three first-choice centre-backs was able to soak up considerable Burnley pressure, particularly in the second half.
Phillips dropped back into the heart of the hosts' defence alongside Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk, but it was the England international who earned the plaudits from Match of the Day pundits Stephen Warnock and Leon Osman for his excellent performance.
“Of the three, Phillips was absolutely fantastic, as you would expect him to be with him being a cultured player in midfield, but he knew when to step in, knew when to head the ball and knew he had the quality,” said Osman.
Warnock also highlighted Phillips' anticipation in this unfamiliar role.
“The impressive thing about Phillips is his reading of the game and ability to step out. But what I really liked was his ability to sense danger" the former Leeds left-back added.
“Here, he had a little look at Chris Wood to see where the danger was. Often when you are playing as a central-midfielder you can get caught ball-watching when you move into that central-defensive position.
“But his ability to read the danger was impressive. He was outstanding today.
“When you play in midfield you have a safety blanket behind you. But when you are in that last line of defence you have to be the one sensing danger and looking over your shoulder, seeing where people are, and he did it extremely well.”
Warnock also believes that Phillips' versatility could give him the edge when it comes to his hopes of a place in England's starting XI in the run-up to next summer's rearranged European Championship.
“It gives him a different option. When you need someone to step out from the back with quality at the back to start attacks, he is your player.
“If you want to change your tactics and suddenly want to go to a four and push one into midfield, he can do that.”
The clean sheet was much needed after six goals were shipped in at Old Trafford a week earlier and Osman praised Leeds for being able to put in such a solid defensive performance.
“Leeds have conceded 30 goals this season, a joint-high, yet, today, you would not have thought it. They defended manfully. Yes, Burnley put them under quite a bit of pressure, but they defended very well today, Leeds.”
Next up for Leeds is a trip to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
