Spotlight on Stuart Dallas as Leeds United's versatile Northern Ireland international excels faced with differing tasks

Dallas was signed as a winger from Brentford back in August 2015 yet the Northern Ireland international has played in both both full back positions, on both flanks and in centre midfield.

As head coach Marcelo Bielsa opted to make just the once enforced change against Leicester due to Diego Llorente's injury, Dallas again started in centre midfield against the Foxes.

That meant the 29-year-old lining up as a no 8 in the middle of the park, in front of holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips and behind Rodrigo at no 10.

Dallas was soon busy and after fouling on the edge of the Foxes box, the midfielder won back possession and began a rapid Whites counter that ended with his through ball for Patrick Bamford being too heavy and drifting behind for a goal kick.

Yet Dallas produced a moment of brilliance just six minutes later to draw Leeds level only two minutes after Harvey Barnes had put the Foxes ahead.

With Leeds moving forwards seeking an immediate equaliser, Dallas produced a lung-bursting run into the Foxes area and was picked out by a precise through ball from Bamford.

Precise also best describes Dallas' finish as he fired a lovely low shot past Kasper Schmeichel into the bottom left.

Dallas then experienced the first of two changes to his role in the 20th minute when record signing Rodrigo had to go off injured.

Mateusz Klich replaced the record signing meaning a new axis in centre midfield.

Dallas, though, continued to make darting runs off the ball through the Leicester midfield and his work was praised by pundit Jamie Redknapp during the half-time break on Sky Sports.

Another new test then presented itself in the second half as Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers changed to a back three meaning Dallas dropped into a deeper role to try combat Leicester's new shape.to

That meant the second half for Dallas became more about digging in, tackling and defending and the Whites ace picked up a yellow card for clipping the heels of Ricardo.

Yet Dallas also remained influential in an attacking sphere and played a vital role in United's third goal as he passed to Klich who released Bamford whose unselfish pass gave Jack Harrison a tap in.

Bamford's spectacular strike for United's second goal made the main headlines in addition to the continued stellar passing of Raphinha.

Yet Dallas undoubtedly produced one of his best Leeds displays yet in the middle of the park and once again superbly answered his manager's call.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leicester-city-1-3-leeds-united-graham-smyths-player-ratings-stuart-dallas-and-raphinha-shine-huge-win-3118897

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins