Leeds player ratings v Bolton: Duo get 9/10, new signing struggles to adapt
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Thomas Christiansen will have been delighted to earn all three points in his first competitive match as Leeds manager after dispatching Bolton 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Yorkshire giants came up against a physical Bolton side that used a mix of short and long passing in an attempt to get behind their opponents.
Kalvin Phillips gave Leeds the lead with a quickly-worked corner, before Chris Wood began his season off to a flyer with a close-range header after good work from Kemar Roofe and Ezgjan Alioski.
Bolton got one back after a superb corner flew over the top of German goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald which was nodded in by target man Gary Madine, but the two-goal cushion was restored.
Phillips doubled Leeds' tally after a superb defence-slitting pass from Pablo Hernandez saw Chris Wood control and square to Phillips, who tapped home.
However, Conor Shaughnessy's introduction saw him instantly concede a penalty that set up a tense finish to the game for Leeds fans, with Adam Le Fondre converting the spot-kick.
Football Insider rates the Leeds starting eleven after their convincing win away from home at the Macron Stadium, with one new signing failing to impress in Leeds colours.
Click below to see our ratings now:
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Goalkeepers and defenders
Felix Wiedwald 5 -
Not good enough. For a tall goalkeeper, the new signing seemed frightened to come and collect the ball from crosses. Caught under the cross for the Madine goal, he deserves another chance, but will have Rob Green breathing down his neck.
Luke Ayling 7 - Continued where he left off, as he got forward and proved equally as effective in attack as he did in defence.
Matthew Pennington 7 (replaced by Conor Shaugnhessy , 64 mins) - Other than looking slightly shaky when put under pressure by Madine, the Everton loanee looked comfortable at the back and will have impressed Christiansen.
Liam Cooper 9 - A captain's display. Put his body on the line on many occasions and was aggressive when he needed to be. Will have done himself no harm in looking to partner Pontus Jansson, or his chances at becoming captain full time.
Vurnon Anita 6 (replaced Gaetano Berardi, 38 mins) - The new signing replaced Berardi after the Swiss defender suffered a shoulder injury, and looked okay at left-back. For a right-footed midfielder, he did enough.
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Midfielders
Kalvin Phillips 9 -
Doubled his 2016-17 tally in his first game with two well-taken goals. When in possession, the academy product looked calm but aggressive in the challenge. Best performance in a Leeds shirt.
Eunan O'Kane 8 - Leeds won the battle in the middle of the park, in no small part down to O'Kane. His positioning between the defence and the midfield saw him dictate the tempo of play, shining in place of Liam Bridcutt.
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Attackers
Kemar Roofe 7 - Always able to provide a constant threat, Roofe was given few opportunities to really attack the Bolton goal but when he did, he looked sharp. Provided the cross for Wood's goal.
Pablo Hernandez 7 - Seemed to vanish for spells of the game but was crucial in two of Leeds' three goals. Supplying the assist for the first, he split the Bolton defence for his side's third.
Ezgjan Alioski 8 (replaced by Hadi Sacko, 84 mins) - Exciting debut for the Macedonia international, as he had chances to find the back of the net but was denied by goalkeeper Mark Howard. Laid on the assist for Wood.
Chris Wood 8 - Showed his goalscoring pedigree and carried on from last season by scoring from close range after good work from Roofe and Alioski. One down, 29 to go if he is to match last season's tally.
In other Leeds news, this striker can solve Christiansen's reported search for back-up to Wood.
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