Opening day win comes at a cost for Leeds United

Leeds Gaetano Beradi is stretchered off at Bolton. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

Homegrown midfielder Kalvin Phillips celebrated his new contract with a first-half brace which sandwiched a predatory header from Chris Wood and made it 3-1 at the break.

Bolton, who scored through Gary Madine during the first half, cut Leeds’ advantage with a second-half penalty from Adam Le Fondre but Leeds held on for victory.

Both sides suffered a double injury blow as Leeds lost left-back Berardi and on-loan Everton defender Pennington to a dislocated shoulder and ankle injury respectively.

Bolton saw skipper David Wheater forced off early in the second half with a back problem before Josh Vela was carried off on a stretcher in the closing stages with a serious ankle injury.

Christiansen added: “Berardi’s injury was his shoulder and Matthew Pennington’s was his ankle.

“We will know more in the next couple of days. It’s disappointing, but at the same time I was very pleased with the contribution of Conor Shaughnessy and Vurnon Anita.

“They came on and did well, so there were negatives and positives and overall I enjoyed it a lot.

“It was a tough game, which I expected, against a tough opponent, and a result I had dreamed of.

“We need to recover now and focus on Port Vale in the League Cup on Wednesday.

“It’s good to start the season like this and now we have a few games at Elland Road where we will have even greater backing from our supporters.”

Manchester United left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is poised to join Leeds on loan and at least one more centre-back is also on Christiansen’s radar.

The Dane left out Liam Bridcutt, Stuart Dallas and Ronaldo Vieira - all regulars last season - and he explained: “These are the problems I have as coach.

“It’s good that I have to choose, but bad that I have to leave players out. Only 18 players can play and today I’m happy with the decision I took.”

Wood hit 30 goals last season and continues to be linked with a number of rival clubs, but Christiansen said: “It’s very important to keep Chris Wood, but you never know what will happen.”