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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
David Byrom

What Pep Guardiola said to Kalvin Phillips after Man City draw vs Leeds United

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has revealed his conversation with Pep Guardiola after his side's draw with Manchester City last month.

The midfielder put in an impressive performance in the 1-1 draw, which saw Leeds come from behind to grab a deserved point against City, who led through Raheem Sterling's 17th-minute opener.

Speaking to The Times, Phillips admitted he feared for the worst after conceding first due to how well Guardiola's side were playing.

Yet he felt Leeds adapted well and started to break up City's play.

"I’ve never seen football like it from any team," Phillips said. "Just how sharp it was, how well coordinated all the movements were.

"When they scored, I thought this could be a 5-0 game here. But we got into it, started making tackles."

Phillips is a big fan of City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, describing him as the ideal footballer, but he failed to get the Belgian star's shirt post-match.

Instead, the 24-year-old revealed he was congratulated by Guardiola for his performance in the game - something Phillips believes was a nice touch.

"If you want a football player to be like anybody it would be Kevin De Bruyne," Phillips said.

"He can do everything, defend, attack, run, hold the ball, tackle.

"He’s 6ft, strong, quick, so smart with the way he finds space to get on the ball.

"It was a good battle between us. I felt it was one of my best games. I didn’t get his shirt. I didn’t get anybody’s shirt.

"I was more mesmerised by Pep Guardiola giving me a handshake, and saying, 'Congratulations, well done.' That was nice."

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