David Artell hailed his Crewe Alexandra side as ‘magnificent’ after they held Leeds United until the 77th minute. The Alex boss was pleased with the way his team played in and out of position but was left hugely frustrated after conceding the first goal of the night from a set-piece. England International Phillips took full advantage of half a yard to steer in Jack Harrison’s corner.
Leeds went on to punish us in the final five minutes with two more goals to go into the hat for round three of the EFL Cup.
Artell told the club’s official website: “I thought the lads were terrific. I thought they performed admirably and the fans were absolute magnificent all night as well. In the 35,000, you could hear the 1,500 Crewe fans as well. They were magnificent for us and I hope they go home relatively happy. I know we were beaten 3-0 but the lads put a real shift in for them.
“For 77 minutes we were magnificent and the only really disappointing thing from the night was the way we conceded that first goal. To concede from a set-play was so, so, so disappointing. It was the manner in which it came and to pop the cork at that stage with 12 minutes to go or whatever it was, was the most disappointing thing.
“The players didn’t deserve that. You wanted them to score a 30 yard screamer. The second and third goals were academic really, but we gave a good account of ourselves and if that first goal doesn’t happen then the clock is still ticking.
“We were 12 minutes away from the lottery of a penalty shoot-out and we perhaps warranted that from our side of the performance.
“I thought our shape was very good. When Marcelo comes up to us at the end and says that we setup magnificently is a compliment to the work and preparation we put in. It shows that we made it a tough night for them.
“We have set a standard, our standard and we have to take that into the league. Yes, we have to work to do, we have lost 3-0 and we are not glossing over it but we will go again. It’s all about recovery now and making sure they eat and drink the right things and the focus turns to Charlton.”