Phillips back into the fold
Leeds United’s England international was back in the squad at Elland Road for the first time in nearly four months. Kalvin Phillips may not have been in the starting line-up, but was out with the side pre-match for the pitch inspection.
As has become typical in recent months, a batch of young fans were inside the ground early and calling over to their heroes as they wandered in. Pascal Struijk waved from afar, but it was Phillips who came over to the John Charles Stand for pictures and autographs.
Warrington parades his belt
In the final minutes before kick-off, as the stadium reached capacity, Josh Warrington came out to parade the IBF featherweight title belt he won at First Direct Arena last weekend. With his jaw broken there was little chance of speaking on the microphone to the crowd, while his hand, also broken, was strapped up too.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch's first Leeds United words on Southampton plus Gelhardt and Struijk's training issues
Llorente takes instruction
While the rest of the team celebrated Jack Harrison’s opening goal, Diego Llorente went to the dugout and talked with Jesse Marsch. The Spain international had a shaky afternoon and rather than get stuck into the merriment, got stuck into some advice from the head coach.
Ayling’s world and we’re living in it
Luke Ayling never has a smile too far from his face. Whether it’s the flop, getting into an opponent’s ear or finding humour in something innocuous, it’s hard to take your eyes off him.
In the latter stages of the first half, he charged a Southampton pass down, which caught him flush in the chest and he landed flat on his back. He paused for a moment as if he had been knocked out. The crowd stopped with a moment of concern and then applauded as he got to his feet, almost laughing at his acting genius.
Meslier ignoring Dallas
During what was a very difficult opening to the second half for Illan Meslier, he showed the worst kind of tunnel vision with his distribution. Every time he put the ball back into play it would flow back towards his goal.
The French stopper was doing little to relieve the pressure his team was under. Stuart Dallas was repeatedly free with an acreage around him down the left channel. His arms were aloft, there was no good reason not to pass to him and everyone but Meslier could see the pass was on.
