Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira formed a formidable partnership despite their tender years as Leeds United returned to winning ways against Preston.
Leeds United chose a good time to produce one of their most coherent displays since the turn of the year. After successive defeats against Reading and Brentford without finding the back of the net in each, Garry Monk’s side roared back to winning ways by clinically dispatching Preston North End 3-0 at Elland Road.
And even Leeds legend Eddie Gray was taken back by the performance, as reported by LUTV – in particular, the displays of Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira in a decidedly youthful midfield pairing.
Aged just 21 and 18, the fresh-faced duo certainly looked likely to face a daunting task shielding the defence against a Preston side who had been in terrific form going forwards, thumping Bristol City 5-0 just days before travelling to Elland Road.
However, Phillips and Vieira put in an imperious performance in the absence of injured skipper Liam Bridcutt – and Gray is not afraid to admit that they took him by surprise.
“I thought the two young boys in the middle of the park did well,” Gray, who played over 500 games for Leeds between 1965 and 1984, told LUTV.
“There was a wee bit of concern with two young players in their together and how it would go. But they coped very well and gradually we took control of the game.”
Between them, Vieira and Phillips produced six tackles and four interceptions while further justifying Monk’s belief in the club’s young players.
The duo have taken their games to new levels this season and, while 18-year-old prodigy Vieira has rightfully been heralded as one of English football’s most exciting talents, Phillips’ continuing progression (below) should not go under the radar.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
