Bailey Peacock-Farrell was Leeds United’s hero as Marcelo Bielsa’s men beat Reading 1-0 on Tuesday.
Kalvin Phillips has told Leeds United’s official website that Bailey Peacock-Farrell has not been himself lately, so he was particularly delighted when the goalkeeper made the penalty save that ensured that the Whites beat Reading on Tuesday.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men would have feared that they had thrown a victory away when Barry Douglas conceded a late penalty against the Royals.
However, Peacock-Farrell produced a stunning save to tip the spot-kick round the post. It was a particularly special moment for the stopper given that he has faced criticism lately and was set to lose his place in the side before Jamal Blackman’s season-ending injury.
And Phillips has admitted that he felt that the stopper needed that moment in the spotlight after his difficult spell since emerging back into the first-team picture.
“Obviously we all just wanted to congratulate him and we were all really happy for him. He’s had a bit of stick recently and not really been himself the last few weeks but with more confidence from us and the fans I know he’ll keep improving,” he told the club’s official website.
With Blackman no longer at the club, Peacock-Farrell’s challenge is now to make sure that he performs well enough without a genuine rival until January at least. Will Huffer is an extremely talented prospect, but it would surely take something dramatic to happen for Bielsa to swap the two around.
But having come incredibly close to being dropped from the team, Peacock-Farrell will surely be desperate to make the most of this run in the side.
He has unquestionably made the dream start.
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