The Three Lions were held to a 0-0 draw at Wembley by a spirited Scotland side, with little to separate the two teams in a fraught showdown.
Once again, Gareth Southgate opted to start Phillips alongside Declan Rice in the centre of the park, but entrusted the 25-year-old with a more advanced role than the one he usually occupies at Elland Road.
It was a tactic that worked to great effect against Croatia last weekend, although it failed to properly spark against the Tartan Army.
Despite calls from some quarters for Southgate to play either Rice or Phillips, however, the Whites favourite has made it clear that he believes the duo have struck up an effective partnership in the centre of the park.
Phillips told BBC Sport: "I love playing with Declan.
"I love playing in that role where I have a little bit of licence to go forward and I know that Declan is behind me backing me up if I ever get beat.
"There's a lot of talk about me and Declan fighting for a position but I think when you look at it and we play together I think we play really well together.
"It's an honour playing with Declan and obviously the rest of the team as well."
Next up for Phillips and England is a group stage clash against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening, with the winner set to finish top of Group D.
We’ve gathered the best of today’s Premier League speculation below...
1. Yarmolenko wants out
Andriy Yarmolenko will not renew his contract with West Ham, and is intent on leaving the club this summer. (Calcio Mercato) (Photo by Robert Ghement - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Robert Ghement - Pool
2. Toon lead race for Carter-Vickers
Newcastle United lead a four-club race to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer. (SBI) (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images) Photo: Jacques Feeney
3. Albion back out of Gonzalez deal
Brighton and Tottenham are not planning to fresh make a fresh offer for Stuttgart’s Nicolas Gonzalez who is expected to join Fiorentina this summer. (Fabrizio Romano) (Photo by Uwe Anspach/Pool via Getty Images) Photo: Pool
4. Newcastle close in on Liverpool youngster
Newcastle United are set to add Remi Savage to their development squad after the teenage defender turned down the offer of a new deal at Liverpool. (Various) (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Photo: Clive Brunskill
5. Gunners uncertain on Ryan deal
Arsenal are increasingly unsure that they will be able to sign Mat Ryan from Brighton this summer. (Goal) (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Photo: Shaun Botterill
6. Hammers undeterred by Yaremchuk price
West Ham are not frightened by Gent’s £25.7 million asking price for Ukraine forward Roman Yaremchuk. (Calcio Mercato) (Photo by Vadim Ghirda - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Vadim Ghirda - Pool