Conor Shaughnessy impressed on his first league start for Leeds on Tuesday night as his side drew 0-0 with Fulham at Elland Road.
An Irish underage international, Shaughnessy made his Leeds debut 10 days ago when he came off the bench in a 3-2 win against Bolton. He subsequently started the 4-1 League Cup win against Port Vale and was on the bench for the 0-0 draw with Preston at the weekend.
The Galway native started last night's game at centre-back alongside Pontus Jansson due to the unavailability of Liam Cooper.
Conor Shaughnessy vs. Fulham:
72% pass accuracy
46 touches
32 passes
3 clearances
2 interceptions
2 blocks
Very impressive tonight. ? pic.twitter.com/RjovTmj2ju— Chris Taylor (@LUFCDATA) August 15, 2017
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, manager Thomas Christiansen said that though Shaughnessy did not have a flawless game, he did play well.
He is an intelligent player, has a good understanding.
Today sometimes he didn't the take right decision but he is very young, has a lot to learn, but I'm happy with how he played.
It's not easy against a powerful team like Fulham, the strikers are very fast. He had a good game. We had a problem with Cooper and he replaced him very well.
In his player ratings for the game, the Yorkshire Evening Post's Phil Hay gave the 21-year-old 9/10 along with saying:
An exceptional debut from a player who was never seen as a centre-back at Reading. One block from Johansen averted a big Fulham chance.
Shaughnessy joined Leeds last year on a one-year deal after being released by Reading.
Conor Shaughnessy tackle on Neeskens Kebano #LUFC pic.twitter.com/0KvIg3j1WB https://t.co/5fWoZ6W3ao
— TFS Leeds United (@TFS_LeedsUtd) August 16, 2017
