KALVIN PHILLIPS was consoled by his ex-Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker after being sent off in the Steel City Derby.
The Sheffield United midfielder saw red for a reckless tackle on Svante Ingelsson.
Kalvin Phillips was sent off in the Steel City DerbyCredit: Alamy
Kyle Walker consoled his former Man City team-mate after the matchCredit: Getty
The incident happened moments after half-time with the Blades leading 2-0.
Wednesday pulled a goal back but were unable to avoid a 24th defeat of the season – Gabriel Otegbayo was also giving his marching orders which meant both sides ended with ten men.
But despite the win, Phillips was left licking his wounds at full-time and needed Walker to perk him up.
United boss , who revealed ex-Blade and City team-mate visited the changing-room to lift his pal’s spirits afterwards, said: “He’s had a tough time and everybody has an opinion on him. He’s really enjoying his football.
“It’s a disappointment because obviously we’re losing a really top player for three games.
“He is really enjoying it here, which is what I told him when he first arrived: enjoy yourself and get back to what you do best. He’s been great around the place, his performances fabulous. Unfortunately we’re losing him for three games.
“When you look at it doesn’t look great. It was a competitive game. The referee was right in front of it and made that decision.
“It was the first time I’ve seen Kalvin not smile as he’s been smiling on the pitch. He’ll get over it.”
Phillips, 30, only joined the Blades on loan on deadline day, with the derby just his third appearance in red and white.
Wilder provoked his rivals with a team photo in front of the Kop, but defended the decision after the match.
He said: “If I’m out of order then so be it. That’s football rivalry and football tribalism. But it’ll swing back and they’ll come again. That’s football.”
Wilder continued: “I’ve never seen a fan celebrate a win, and I’ve never seen a Sheffield Wednesday fan celebrate a United achievement.
“I never got any phone calls when Tommy Watson stuck one in the bottom corner in the 97th minute at Wembley, and then the thing happened afterwards with me. This is the ruthless part of the job that you’ve got to look after your own club and yourself.
“Everybody in football realises Sheffield Wednesday were basically relegated at the start of the season. I feel for Henrik, how he’s had to pick himself up. I know after a defeat how bad it is to pick yourself up. But, after a run of defeats, I feel sorry for the players as well because a relegation is never a nice thing to deal with.
“But the team is so undercooked, it’s frightening. They go out every week and give it a right go, as they did today. I know it was a little bit more on it today, but that’s how it is.
“That’s how we’re brought up. I don’t think Sheffield Wednesday fans would have it any other way, and I don’t think any Sheffield United fan would have it any other way.
“But the Wednesday players have been hung out to dry. I don’t take any joy in that.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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