Scott Parker wants to be a role model for rising star Philip Billing

‘I want to try and give him that bit of me’: Bournemouth boss Scott Parker wants to be a role model for Philip Billing after Danish midfielder nets his sixth goal of the season

• Scott Parker raved about the progress Philip Billing  has been making
• Billing scored his sixth goal of the season as Bournemouth beat Sheffield United
• ‘I had something as a player that Phil could do with,’ Parker said
• ‘He has done nothing but impress me,’ Parker added. ‘He has always risen’

Scott Parker knows one when he sees one and Philip Billing is ticking all the boxes as far as the Bournemouth boss is concerned.

Parker, who carved his playing reputation as a classy midfielder, believes that he can be a role model to the Dane.

‘I had something as a player that Phil could do with and I want to try and give him that bit of me that could take him to the other level,’ Parker said.

Bournemouth coach Scott Parker wants to help midfielder Philip Billing reach the top level

Billing (right) is mobbed by Bournemouth team-mates after scoring against Sheffield United

Billing scored his sixth goal of the season to ensure Bournemouth remained the EFL’s only undefeated team, as they came from behind to sink Sheffield United. ‘He has done nothing but impress me,’ Parker added. ‘I get that I’m very intense, that with my demands on him he could fold, but he’s not shown me that. He has always risen.

‘The biggest thing that made me happy today was not the goal, it was when he ran back and made a slide tackle on the edge of the box.

‘He is showing me that he’s becoming involved in the game at every moment and that’s what he needs to keep doing.’

Strong winds and heavy rain meant a mistake always felt like either side’s best chance of breaking the deadlock.

The Dane has scored six Championship goals this term for unbeaten Bournemouth

That nearly proved the case as Robin Olsen passed the ball straight to Billing 30 yards out, but the midfielder’s feeble first-time hit rolled straight back to the grateful Blades keeper.

Another error, from Lloyd Kelly, saw the Cherries skipper lose the ball but Billy Sharp fired over.

After the break the hosts fell behind for the first time this season after failing to clear a long ball, allowing Sharp to cross for Morgan Gibbs-White to stab home.

Minutes later, Enda Stevens scythed down Dominic Solanke as he raced into the box.

Replays suggested the foul was outside the area, but referee Robert Jones pointed to the spot and Solanke made no mistake.

Bournemouth then took charge as Solanke stole possession and fed Ryan Christie, who slid the ball across goal for Billing to poke in.

Former Cherry Lys Mousset headed against the bar from a yard out, but the hosts saw the game out to move three points clear at the top of the table.

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