By Harry Sykes
Leeds United fans took to Twitter to express their pride and delight at the crunching tackle from Kalvin Phillips in the build-up to their second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
Thomas Christiansen’s side were 1-0 up with three minutes remaining when Phillips produced one of the match’s most memorable moments when he won the ball in Forest’s final third with a crunching, perfectly timed tackle.
It freed up Ezgjan Alioski to send a thumping long-range strike beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Jordan Smith.
The second goal secured Leeds’ third win from three away matches this season and one which manager Christiansen subsequently hailed as their best performance to date under him.
Supporters raved about the quality of Alioski’s strike, but many were even more impressed by the tackle from Phillips, which one claimed reminded him of club legend David Batty.
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Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:
Kalvin Phillips is morphing into David Batty and I absolutely love it. #lufc
— AllWhiteStrip (@AllWhiteStripLU) August 27, 2017
I like Phillips’ tackle before Alioski’s goal more than the actual goal. That’s Leeds that. #lufc
— Peter Daglish (@peter_daglish) August 27, 2017
Phillips – 8 – Proving his critics wrong in the best way possible. That tackle! Developing incredibly well. My favourite. #lufc
— AllWhiteStrip (@AllWhiteStripLU) August 27, 2017
Just watched the highlights back of yesterday’s game. Great tackle from Phillips in the build-up to Alioski’s goal. He’s started well. #lufc
— Jamie Collins (@LUJC83) August 27, 2017
Kalvin Phillips made that goal for #lufc crunching tackle!
— Nige Dynamo (@Dynamo_Nige) August 26, 2017
What a stunning tackle from Phillips before that sweet strike #lufc ❤️ https://t.co/wj3EBSuuOg
— jamieb1973 (@jamieb1nine73) August 26, 2017
I enjoyed that that tackle from Phillips nearly as much as Alioski’s goal #lufc
— Michael dowling (@Michaeldowlin14) August 26, 2017
Phillips was paired in central midfield for the fifth time in five league matches this season with Eunan O’Kane.
The Elland Road academy product, 21, has noticeably been used in a more forward role this season and has responded with some of his finest performances for the club.
Leeds’ win lifted them to third in the Championship table, with a haul of 11 points out of a possible 15 from their five matches to date.
In other Leeds United news, an £8million bid has been rejected for a Championship goal machine wanted by the club.
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