LEEDS UNITED BOSS Thomas Christiansen handed Galway native Conor Shaughnessy his first Championship start in last night’s meeting with Fulham at Elland Road.
Having made his league debut in the 3-2 win over Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the season, the 21-year-old, who can play as a defender or a holding midfielder, was named at centre-half due to Liam Cooper’s injury.
And the former Reading man, who joined Leeds in the summer of 2016 after being released from the Royals, performed well in a 0-0 draw.
Unfortunately, a tackle from Shaughnessy on Lucas Piazon in the first half left the on-loan Chelsea forward with a broken fibula. He won the ball and no free-kick was given.
Lucas Piazon(Fulham) heeft gister zijn been gebroken na deze sliding van Connor Shaughnessy (via @WALM0T33) pic.twitter.com/FPvyx5wS2g
— ChampionshipNieuws (@CSnieuws) August 16, 2017
There was also a vital challenge on Neeskens Kebano in the final minutes.
Conor Shaughnessy tackle on Neeskens Kebano #LUFC pic.twitter.com/Iztp9VDNcm
— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) August 15, 2017
Speaking after the game, Christiansen praised the former Ireland U18 international but added that there is still room to improve.
I believe he did very well,” the ex-Spanish international said in his post-match press conference.
“I’ve said before that he’s a young player and he doesn’t have so much experience but he did well. Today he was under big pressure against a big team like Fulham and he did okay.”
Ireland midfielder Eunan O’Kane also played the full game for Leeds.
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