BBC pundit directs ‘biggest criticism you’ll ever find’ at Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier after Fulham knock him out of FA Cup
Jon Newsome held Illan Meslier responsible for Manor Solomon curling in Fulham’s second as they knocked Leeds United out of the FA Cup.
The Cottagers winger cut in from the left flank to bend one into the far corner from the edge of the box in West London, in an almost-identical goal to one he scored against Wolves on Friday (24 February), as the home side won 2-0 to advance.
Newsome was unhappy to see French star Meslier not move his feet to get to the shot, especially when he had such a recent example of what to expect, and should have anticipated the effort better.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the match on Tuesday night (28 February, 9min 40sec) the former Whites defender said: “I think the first goal’s a bit of a worldie. Second goal, if I was the goalkeeper I think I’d be a little bit disappointed that I’ve conceded that one.
“We’ve seen him score the same goal at the weekend, and we’ve seen him score a similar goal a couple of weekends ago, so you’ve got to be anticipating and expecting that.
“When he pulls the trigger if you look at the keeper’s feet, he never moves his feet, he just dives.
“And that’s the biggest criticism you’ll ever find with goalkeepers. When you listen to goalkeeping coaches, when you watch them do sessions it’s all about moving your feet.”
Rough night
Meslier was somewhat flat footed for the second goal, having been unable to get anywhere near to Joao Palhinha’s stunning first, and the likelihood from that position was that Solomon would go for the far post so perhaps he can be criticised.
His form at Leeds United has put him in the view of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, but if he had edged across in advance and the shot had then been pulled inside his near post he would also have had the finger pointed at him.
And if the attackers couldn’t get the ball in the net, without the involvement of some charitable officiating, it wouldn’t have made any difference anyway.
In the case of the lively-looking Georginio Rutter that wasn’t for the want of trying, as his tap in on the rebound from a Robin Koch header was harshly disallowed for a supposed push by Weston McKennie.
And the French record-signing was very unlucky to see his twisting first-half header come back off the inside of the post.
Ultimately it goes down as another game this season where dominance wasn’t made to pay, but a charitable assessment would allow for the fact that both Fulham’s goals were almost unstoppable, and a bit more luck would have seen at least two scored at the other end.
It is certainly a disappointment to go out of the cup before the quarter-finals, but with Premier League survival the priority it was a game that did at least have some encouraging signs that Javi Gracia will get enough performances to secure that.
In other Leeds United news, the 49ers takeover is in jeopardy if Gracia cannot achieve his goals this season.
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