Kalvin Phillips’ second-half strike was enough to secure Leeds United a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City this afternoon.

Leeds’ form has been patchy this season at Elland Road, but in their 100^th anniversary week, local boy Phillips fired Marcelo Bielsa’s side to the win on 65 minutes, denying Pep Clotet’s Blues a point.

A passionate Elland Road crowd was gathered, greeting their former heroes pre-match to mark 100 years in existence. Norman Hunter, Peter Lorimer, Gordon Strachan, Lucas Radebe and Jermaine Beckford just some of the names introduced.

The occasion was set-up perfectly for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, completing their warm-up as Radebe and Beckford had their names sung from the Kop to the South Stand.

Then, focus was on the class of 2019/20; out, looking to get Leeds back to winning ways after controversial defeat to Millwall. Birmingham in their way, hoping to build on a battling three points against Middlesbrough last time out and spoil the party.

Clotet’s side did a good job of taking the pre-match sting out of Elland Road, but Leeds were dominating things.

Ezgjan Alioski stung the palms of Lee Camp inside the opening 10 minutes, before the Macedonian dragged an effort wide.

Despite enjoying plenty of set-piece opportunities, Leeds struggled for clear-cut chances after Alioski’s efforts. Lukas Jutkiewicz, Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts clearing Phillips’ delivery with ease, time after time.

Patrick Bamford would fire across goal shortly before the half-hour mark, his effort wide of the far post and ahead of Leeds’ breaking attack.

As the half ticked away, Leeds probed, creating the game’s best chance so far on 38 minutes.

Bamford latched on to a long ball, back-heeling the way of Helder Costa. His shot was blocked, before neat play between Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich gave the Northern Irishman room in the box. However, Camp dealt with his effort.

As half-time approached, Ivan Sunjic and Alioski traded clashes to go into the book, alongside Jutkiewicz – already there for a late challenge on Dallas.

Further chances evaded either side but Leeds were dominant, fluffing their big opportunities, again.

There was a sense of ‘here we go again’ amongst this expectant crowd at the interval. Leeds are so good at dominating a game of football, but their lack of cutting edge continues to be a concern.

So, Bielsa turned to his Arsenal loanee. Eddie Nketiah replacing Bamford.

Instantly, Nketiah had an impact and thought he should’ve had a penalty breaking into the area. Robert Jones didn’t agree, awarding a free-kick that Alioski pushed wide.

Birmingham, as Clotet promised, wouldn’t sit back. Fran Villalba’s effort had Kiko Casilla scrambling and Alvaro Gimenez fired into the South Stand.

But, Leeds responded and broke the deadlock shortly after the hour through an unlikely source.

Jack Harrison turned the ball over deep in the Birmingham half, breaking into the area and feeding Phillips, with the academy graduate dispatching the ball under Camp.

Fitting that on the club’s big day, one of their new local heroes opened the scoring and was the difference.

Clotet’s side responded well, though. Jude Bellingham stung the palms of Casilla from range, before Jutkiewicz looped an effort into the Spaniard’s arms.

Alioski could have, and maybe should have, got Leeds a second, firing over after breaking into the box. But, Elland Road was on edge, with Bielsa’s side hanging on as we approached the final 10 minutes.

35,731 were inside Elland Road, and nearly all had heads in their hands as Kristian Pedersen headed a looping Dean cross wide in injury-time.

But, the Whites held on despite that late scare.

1-0 on their 100^th anniversary, but, more importantly, a return to winning ways after the international break.

Birmingham fought hard in the second-half, but this was Leeds’ big day and the headlines were with Kalvin Phillips.

FULL-TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Birmingham City.