‘All over him’: Gary Neville noticed Guardiola players target Leeds ace yesterday

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Gary Neville noticed during his live commentary stint for Sky Sports PL (03/10/20) that a number of Manchester City players targetted Kalvin Phillips during their 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.

The former right-back stated how the opposition were ‘all over’ Leeds’ defensive rock during the first half.

Phillips plays a single pivot for Marcelo Bielsa and everything going forward goes through him – he’s not dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ for nothing.

Nonetheless, Neville was commenting on Saturday’s pulsating and high-energy draw, as he shared his thoughts on how Phillips was being targetted.

“The one player Manchester City are pressing is Phillips,” Neville told Sky Sports. “As soon as he gets it, there are two or three at times. They are gathering around him quickly. Yes [it’s a compliment to him].

“At the moment, they have just boxed him off. Foden, Mahrez and De Bruyne all waiting to go in on him. But they are screening him well. You cannot get it into him.

“It’s a brilliant game for Kalvin Phillips [in the sense] that he’s learning. He wanted these games and he needs them. This is a different level. Look at that midfield. He’s getting outnumbered. They are all over him.”

Whilst the opening hour an hour or so was tough for Leeds United’s boyhood fan, the manner in which he and the team responded during the second period was pretty impressive.

From a defensive standpoint, Phillips did ever so well in keeping the usually lively and threatening Kevin de Bruyne quiet during the game.

But Leeds were more on the front foot, they had more possession of the ball during the second 45 and a lot of that was down to Phillips having more of a say on the ball.