Kalvin Phillips made his long-awaited return to action for Leeds United in the 1-1 draw with Southampton but was left confused by referee Anthony Taylor's decision not to award the Whites a penalty. Jack Harrison fired Leeds ahead before a stunning free-kick from James Ward-Prowse levelled proceedings and there were appeals for a penalty for the hosts when Joe Gelhardt went down inside the penalty box.
Despite protests, a spot-kick was not awarded and Phillips has revealed he watched the incident back in the changing room and that he does not know how a penalty was not given. Speaking to LUTV after the draw, he said: "I think the challenge at the end, in the penalty box, I think it is a penalty, I've watched it back in the changing room.
"I don't know how he's not given the penalty but we're not one to moan and we're not one to dwell on it so we'll have to keep going [over] the next week."
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Although unable to understand Taylor's decision, Phillips was pleased to be back playing in front of the Elland Road faithful and reserved praise for the lively Gelhardt, who featured as a substitute. He said: "[I am] very pleased. I didn't really do much but it was just nice to be back on the pitch, especially at home and nice to be actually on the pitch playing instead of celebrating as well.
"It was a good point, to be honest I thought we had most of the possession, I thought we were the better team throughout the game but [there was] a touch of quality from [James] Ward-Prowse, we know he's good at them free-kicks and that's the only thing, I think, that kept them in the game. I think after the goal, we kind of went into, not panic mode, but we couldn't really find passes inbetween the lines and we had to go long a little bit.
"With the introduction of Joffy [Gelhardt] as well, he brought a little bit back into the game."
His dissatisfaction with the penalty decision did not subdue his humour and the 26-year-old joked about the fact his return to the side coincided with a draw after back-to-back wins. He said: "I think we want to try and get as many points as possible. We've won two of the last games and as soon as I come back, we draw! Hopefully, we can keep it up and keep getting as many points on the board as possible."
Although his focus will be on the quest for Premier League survival for now, the midfielder will have had one eye on the recent draw for the World Cup in Qatar. Among England's group stage opponents are the USA, who Whites head coach Jesse Marsch represented in his playing days. Phillips said: "[It is] exciting, England-US, me and Jesse had a little chat after that, and [it is] very exciting to see it happening. Hopefully, I can do enough to be in the squad but my main focus right now is getting as many points on the board for Leeds."
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