Leeds travelled to newly promoted Bolton under the watchful eye of the Sky Sports cameras. The 4,832 Leeds fans who travelled across the Pennies were not disappointed as they saw their side run out 3-2 winners at the Macron Stadium.
Leeds took the lead courtesy of Kalvin Phillips who smashed home a Hernandez corner. It got better for Thomas Christiansen’s side as they made it 2-0 thanks to Chris Wood. But Bolton got one back when Gary Madine headed home from close range. However, only three minutes later Kalvin Philipps scored his second goal of the game to restore their two-goal cushion. Bolton won a penalty in the second-half, and it was cooly dispatched by Adam le Fondre but it wasn’t enough as Leeds ran out 3-2 winners.
Thomas Christiansen handed debuts to Felix Wiedwald, Matthew Pennington and Ezgjan Alioski. Stuart Dallas and Ronaldo Vieira weren’t in the match day squad while Rob Green was on the bench as Christiansen opted for Felix Wiedwald between the sticks instead. Leeds back four consisted of Gaetano Berardi, Liam Cooper -who captained the side -, Matthew Pennington and Luke Ayling. Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane were playing just in front of the back four. While Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski occupied more attacking roles behind last seasons top goalscorer Chris Wood who led the line.
Josh Cullen and Stephen Darby made their debuts for Wanderers while Adam le Fondre and Andrew Taylor made their debuts as permanent players for Bolton- they were both with the club last season on loan. New signing Aaron Wilbraham found himself on the bench. Parkinson opted for the 3-5-2 formation which served them well last season. Mark Beevers, David Wheater and Dorian Dervite were the three centre-backs in front of Mark Howard. Stephen Darby, Josh Vela, Josh Cullen, Jem Karacan and Andrew Taylor made up the midfield five. While, Gary Madine partnered Adam le Fondre up top.
Leeds took the lead six minutes in after Bolton switched off from a corner. Pablo Hernandez’s corner found Kalvin Phillips at the edge of the box. His strike took a small deflection, and it found its way into the bottom left-hand corner to send the 4,832 Leeds fans into pandemonium.
The next chance fell to Bolton. Adam le Fondre found himself with a bit of space in the Leeds box, but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Wiedwald.
However, it was Leeds who struck again arguably against the run of play. A cross by Roofe found Alioski who nodded the ball into Chris Wood, and the New Zealand international headed home from close range to give Leeds a two-goal cushion. But a few minutes later Berardi was forced to come off for Vernon Anita due to injury.
In the 38th minute, Bolton found a way back into the game. A Josh Vela corner found Gary Madine who headed home to give Bolton a lifeline.
But only three minutes later Leeds restored their two-goal cushion. A neat through ball from Hernandez found Chris Wood who teed up Phillips for his second goal of the game.
In the 46th minute, Gary Madine tried his luck from long-range. But his audacious strike narrowly went wide to spare Wieldwald his blushes. The score was 1-3 to Leeds at the half-time interval.
The first chance of the second-half fell to Alioski. Kemar Roofe found the 25-year-old, but his close range strike was saved by Howard. Then Anita had his 25-yard strike saved by Mark Howard.
In the 65th minute, Bolton were awarded a penalty after was judged to pull Gary Madine’s shirt. Adam le Fondre took the penalty, and he made no mistake from twelve yards. However, just a minute later Leeds almost made it 4-2 when Hernandez’s long-range effort smacked against the post.
Bolton subbed on Adam Armstrong with ten minutes to go in an attempt to find an equaliser while Hadi Sacko replaced Alioski for Leeds. Despite, Bolton putting immense pressure on Leeds in the final twenty minutes, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Leeds host League Two Port Vale on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, while Bolton travel to Crewe on Wednesday.
