Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Mon 24 February 2025 22:40, UK

Ilia Gruev left Andy Hinchcliffe stunned live on Sky Sports with an “extraordinary” moment as Leeds United recovered to beat Sheffield United.

Leeds won 3-1 against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in Monday’s (24 February) top-of-the-table Championship clash.

Illan Meslier fumbled by scoring an own goal with 14 minutes on the clock on what was a howler of a display from the Leeds keeper.

Junior Firpo levelled, Ao Tanaka put Leeds in front and then Joel Piroe put the icing on the cake in superb style.

Ilia Gruev bails out Meslier for Leeds

Prior to Meslier’s shocker, he was guilty of another mishap that saw team-mate Gruev bail him out.

Meslier, having already dropped a couple of high balls into the box, flapped at another Sheffield United cross and the ball trickled towards his own goal.

Gruev did superbly to get back and hook the ball clear, saving his colleague’s blushes in the process – but only temporarily.

Speaking live on Sky Sports [24 February], Hinchcliffe said: “It’s cleared off the line. That’s an extraordinary clearance.

“The keeper makes a right mess of it. But it’s brilliant from the midfielder, who saves a goal, as simple as that.”

Leeds move step closer to Premier League promotion

Leeds were pretty poor in the first half but found their groove in the second half to pick up three massive points.

In the absence of the injured Ethan Ampadu, Daniel Farke’s side showed almighty spirit to not only rescue a point but go on to take all three.

In a repeat of last week’s dramatic win over Sunderland, Leeds left it late to score a winner – and added another to boot – and it really does look like promotion is now a formality.

That is not to say the seven-point gap on third-place Burnley is insurmountable, but in this form, and with the toughest fixtures crossed off, Leeds can even now afford a minor blip.

Farke deserves nothing but huge praise for not only this win, but what Leeds have achieved this season as a whole up to now.