Kalvin Phillips brace helps Leeds United defeat Bolton Wanderers

Leeds United have beaten Bolton Wanderers 3-2 in Thomas Christiansen’s first game as head coach.

Kalvin Phillips scored twice with Chris Wood adding a third before half time. Bolton responded through Gary Madine and an Adam Le Fondre penalty but Leeds held firm in the closing stages to deny the Championship newcomers.

Leeds were ahead with the first corner of the match. Pablo Hernandez delivered the ball low to Phillips on the edge of the box who picked out the far corner.

Bolton grew into the game after that. Le Fondre’s curling shot was caught by Felix Wiedwald before Mark Beevers header was blocked.

The lead was doubled on the half-hour mark though when Wood headed in from Ergjan Alioski’s flick-on.

Madine pulled a goal back in the 39th minute, rising highest from the corner to head in from close range.

It took just two minutes for Leeds to restore their two-goal lead. Phillips, who signed a new contract earlier in the week, scored his second of the afternoon after Wood poked the ball past the goalkeeper.

Vurnon Anita and Wood both tested Mark Howard in the second half, but it was Bolton who scored the next goal. Substitute Conor Shaughnessy conceded a penalty for a foul on Madine and Le Fondre stepped up to haul his team back into the match.

Leeds almost replied instantly again. From the kick-off, Hernandez cut inside before rifling his shot off the crossbar.

Bolton were unable to breach the Leeds defence in the closing stages.

Cover Photo: The Macron Stadium by Reading Tom used under license by CC BY 2.0