Illan Meslier catastrophic, Willy Gnonto superb – Leeds United player ratings vs Sunderland
Illan Meslier’s huge error in the dying moments threw away two points as Leeds United had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.
Chris Rigg put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute, turning home the rebound after the keeper had pushed Dennis Cirkin’s shot onto the post as Sunderland made a fast start, but Joel Piroe headed the equaliser home in the 22nd from an excellent Willy Gnonto cross as the Whites turned the game on its head.
Junior Firpo fired Daniel Farke’s side in front in the 56th, surging forward after good work from Largie Ramazani before playing a one-two with Gnonto and sweeping home.
The Whites were closing out a professional victory when Meslier made an unbelievable error to allow a nothing ball to bounce past him and in deep into stoppage time.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Whites players out of 10 for their performances at the Stadium of Light.
Illan Meslier – 2
Catastrophic error threw away the win after a largely solid performance. Did about as much as he could to keep out Cirkin’s shot so couldn’t be responsible for the opener. Alive to danger throughout and took a knee to the head when Struijk was pushed into him. Saved himself by catching one cross he nearly dropped late on before what had been a good night fell apart in shocking fashion, and genuinely hard to work out how.
Jayden Bogle – 4
Completely lopsided and played a major role in the terrible ending. Posed a distinct attacking threat down the right while overlapping but left so much to be desired defensively as various dangerous attacks came straight through his position. Booked for a clumsy swing that allowed Sunderland to pump the ball in for the equaliser.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Okay, but nothing more. Failed to make an important block on the cross which led to the opener and as captain wasn’t able to exert any control over an uncertain back line. In his defence there wasn’t much in the way of cover in front of him.
Joe Rodon bounces back in Leeds United defence
Joe Rodon – 6
Very poor first half but much improved after the break. Ball-watching as a cross, then a shot, then a rebound led to the opening goal, then was close to disaster twice before the break. Booked for a pull-back on Isidor near half way which could have been a red if Struijk was just a couple of steps further away as he was beaten to a 50-50, and almost diverted a shot into his own net moments later. Made a number of important interventions as the Whites held onto their lead.
Junior Firpo – 7
Ultimately vital, almost. Not as suspect defensively as Bogle on the other side but far from impenetrable at the back and booked for wrestling a Sunderland man to the ground. But very strong going forward and could have had a goal in the first half if Aaronson hadn’t got in his way. Made no mistake in the second as he rode a challenge and finished with admirable composure in an excellent move.
Ao Tanaka – 6
Two fouls in as many minutes to open the game wasn’t a great sign for the concerning midfield situation. Looked far more comfortable when able to dictate possession from deep when Leeds United were in the ascendency but, despite no shortage of effort, he was easily drawn out of position to leave acres of space on the edge of the box.
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell
Joe Rothwell – 7
An asset in possession but potentially a weakness out of it. The same defensive concerns apply to him as Tanaka, and as he was largely playing ahead of the Japan international it left his teammate all the more exposed. But he plays a defence-splitting pass as well as anyone in the squad, doing so for Piroe and Bogle in the first half, and is eager to snap into challenges with the game in front of him. Tightened up positionally as the game went on.
Largie Ramazani (off for Schmidt ’92) – 7
Solid game without ever being able to impose himself fully. Rarely had a chance to run at defenders but played a crucial role in the build up to Firpo’s goal, drawing three players and setting the full-back free into the space he’d created.
Brenden Aaronson – 3
Poor game that never really got started and became less effective as time went on. Busy as ever but didn’t provide much of anything else and lacked crucial quality when it mattered. Enraged Firpo when he took the ball off his toe in the Sunderland box after a chaotic sequence looked set to end with a goal. Struggled to hold onto possession repeatedly after the break as his impact came nowhere near matching his effort. Summed his night up when he took another great chance away from Gnonto in stoppage time and scuffed a shot into a defender in a dangerous position.
Willy Gnonto (off for Byram ’95) – 9 – Man of the Match
Very impressive in a mature all-round showing. Similar to his performance at Norwich he showed some of the highest quality across the Leeds United line up in spurts but never looked like he was in top gear. First man to show some purposeful threat with a strong run down the right that drew a free kick in the dangerous position and provided a beautiful assist for Piroe with an inch-perfect cross. Assisted Firpo as well and put in a solid shift defensively as well.
Joel Piroe (off for Joseph ’77) – 7
Excellent early but faded. A surprise a potentially unpopular addition in place of Mateo Joseph he delivered the sort of striker’s performance that fans expected when he signed a year ago, for half an hour at least. Got into a number of dangerous positions from early and buried his header for the equaliser but soon became peripheral.
Substitutions
Mateo Joseph (on for Piroe ’77) – 5
Very little impact aside from attempting to press defenders on the ball.
Isaac Schmidt (on for Ramazani ’82) – 7
The one man Farke did have fit from the group that missed the draw at Norwich, he provided a valuable boost of energy in the final minutes and almost set up a third goal.
Sam Byram (on for Gnonto’95) – 5
Little more impact than to waste some seconds at the end.
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