Presenter names the Leeds player who didn’t step up after Illan Meslier’s costly error

A football presenter is another person coming to the defense of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier amid his costly error resulting in the Whites dropping three points and settling for one.

Chris Rigg put the home team ahead with a goal in the ninth minute, making it 1-0. But the Whites quickly answered back, equalizing with Joël Piroe’s goal in the 22nd minute.

Both teams headed into halftime tied at 1-1. Early in the second half, Junior Firpo scored in the 56th minute, putting Leeds in what seemed like a winning position—however, a dramatic turn of events unfolded during stoppage time.

Meslier made a costly mistake that let Sunderland equalize. A cross from Alan Browne deflected off Firpo’s head, and when Meslier tried to grab the ball, it slipped through his fingers and rolled into the net, giving Sunderland a vital point.

Jeff Stelling comes to the defense of Illan Meslier

Once the final whistle blew, cameras caught the Frenchman laughing, which didn’t help the situation. Amid the criticism the goalkeeper is facing, Jeff Stelling tweeted on Friday that his teammates, more specifically Firpo, should’ve done more to consult the player after the mistake.

“Would have been nice to see some Leeds players console Meslier a little more – notably Junior Firpo!!” Stelling wrote on X. “A terrible, terrible mistake but nobody feeling worse than the keeper… By the way to all those saying he is smirking /laughing afterwards, he is smiling in embarrassment. What else is he meant to do? Cry?”

 

Daniel Farke and his team need to regroup and come back strong after the break, with a crucial match against promotion rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on October 18. Leeds recently drew with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion and lost to Burnley.

Missing out on wins against key promotion contenders could hurt them later in the season, especially with the Championship race looking as tight as it is. A win against the Blades would be the perfect way to bounce back from the frustration of dropping points at the Stadium of Light.