Pablo Hernandez's mission, positive Kalvin Phillips update and Kiko Casilla's admirable response - Leeds United Talking Points

By Lee Sobot
Published 24th Feb 2020, 06:50 BST
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AFTER seeing Leeds United move five points clear in the Championship's automatic promotion spots, the YEP's Lee Sobot looks at a few key talking points from Saturday's 1-0 victory against Reading at Elland Road.

Perseverance from Pablo Hernandez

United's Spanish magician Pablo Hernandez has not been at his absolute best of late but Saturday's display against the Royals was much more like it and the 34-year-old was in absolutely no mood to be denied scoring what proved the only goal of the game three minutes before the hour.

Hernandez might have seen his first effort blocked but quickly seized upon the loose ball from the rebound and showed quite brilliant footwork to rework the space for a second attempt which was rifled into the top corner.

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BIG INFLUENCE: Leeds United's Stuart Dallas, left, had 115 touches of the ball in Saturday's 1-0 win at home to Reading for 9.4 per cent of the total play - the most on the pitch. Picture by Simon Hulme.BIG INFLUENCE: Leeds United's Stuart Dallas, left, had 115 touches of the ball in Saturday's 1-0 win at home to Reading for 9.4 per cent of the total play - the most on the pitch. Picture by Simon Hulme.
BIG INFLUENCE: Leeds United's Stuart Dallas, left, had 115 touches of the ball in Saturday's 1-0 win at home to Reading for 9.4 per cent of the total play - the most on the pitch. Picture by Simon Hulme.

With 99 touches of the ball, Hernandez had 8.8 per cent of the game's possession with only Stuart Dallas bettering that with 115 touches for 9.4 per cent.

Hernandez's passing success rate was not the highest at 78 per cent but the Spaniard fired in six attempts at goal and also attempted two dribbles.

In short, the no 10 was determined to make something happen and deservedly got his reward.

Good news on Kalvin Phillips ahead of Boro

The importance of United's holding midfield star Kalvin Phillips was clearly highlighted during his recent three-match suspension and there were naturally sighs and groans when the 24-year-old became injured following a challenge midway through the first half.

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United's Yorkshire Pirlo tried to run the knock off but eventually went to ground needing treatment and despite again attempting to play on it was clear that Phillips' day was done.

The midfielder was seen pointing towards his lower left leg as Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa was forced into a major reshuffle with Gjanni Alioski brought on and moving to left back with Dallas swapping to right back as Luke Ayling moved to centre-back with Ben White into the holding midfield role.

Leeds took time to adjust but eventually settled into the new system nicely and better still Phillips then posted a positive update regards his injury on Saturday night.

Replying to a post from Arsenal legend Ian Wright on Instagram, Phillips said the injury was "just a dead calf" which is clearly brilliant news for United ahead of Wednesday's clash at Middlesbrough for all that White is gradually getting better and better as a back up holding midfielder.