Man City's Kalvin Phillips apologises in tears after Sheffield United red card

Kalvin Phillips was sent off in the Steel City derby between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon.

Kalvin Phillips was visibly emotional as he said sorry to the Sheffield United supporters following his dismissal against Sheffield Wednesday in Sunday afternoon's Steel City derby.

The Blades were comfortably ahead at 2-0 against their fierce local rivals when Phillips, 30, saw red in the 49th minute for a reckless challenge on Wednesday's Svante Ingelsson.

Phillips, who arrived at Bramall Lane on loan from Manchester City during the January transfer window, went to ground and made contact with the ball but his follow-through saw his studs connect with Ingelsson's left knee.

Referee Josh Smith paused momentarily before reaching for the red card. Phillips appeared stunned and looked utterly bewildered by the sending-off decision.

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Whilst the Wednesday players gathered around Ingelsson and the official, Phillips then seemed to glance directly towards the fourth official before mouthing the words: "How is that a red?"

However, it wasn't long before Phillips acknowledged his error to the Blades faithful for the challenge and subsequent red card, raising his hands in apology with tears streaming down his face as he departed the field.

Phillips' expulsion occurred whilst Sheffield United were firmly in command following first-half strikes from Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows. Wednesday, though, found renewed belief after Phillips' dismissal.

In fact, merely three minutes following Phillips' dismissal, Charlie McNeill reduced the arrears to silence the home crowd at Bramall Lane. However, the Blades reasserted their authority as the second period progressed.

Chris Wilder introduced three fresh players and it helped settle proceedings, with Wednesday creating few genuine chances after former Manchester United striker McNeill pulled one back to make it 2-1.

If Wednesday suffer defeat, they will enter the record books as the earliest side to be relegated in February. After entering administration in October, Wednesday were docked 12 points.

They subsequently received an additional six-point sanction for breaching the EFL's financial regulations, leaving them on minus seven points going into Sunday's derby against Sheffield United.

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