Sky Sports pundit wowed by ‘brave’ Illan Meslier as ‘absolutely outstanding’ Leeds United man ensures victory over Leicester City
Illan Meslier was “absolutely outstanding” as he preserved the 1-0 Leeds United win with a stunning late save against Leicester City, said Don Goodman.
The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the broadcaster’s match commentary on 3 November as the Frenchman clawed a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall out from just underneath his crossbar in the 95th minute at the King Power Stadium.
Having been a virtual spectator for most of the excellent team performance Meslier wowed Goodman with the “brave” contribution in the dying minutes of a statement result.
Goodman said (9.54pm): “Illan Meslier scrambling across his goal there. That’s outstanding because Dewsbury-Hall does really well to guide that header on target. It’s flying in. It’s a brilliant save. It’s his first save, and only save of this game.”
He added soon after: “Nothing to do all game and at the last he’s called upon to do that. Absolutely outstanding and brave from the goalkeeper.”
Huge
A week after the 23-year-old’s concentration was called into question when he spilled a shot to gift Huddersfield a consolation goal in the 4-1 Whites victory Meslier bounced back in the biggest game of the season so far.
Thanks to a very impressive performance by a number of his teammates the keeper wasn’t put under a lot of pressure by the runaway Championship pace-setters.
And yet all the collective hard work would have been undercut if Dewsbury-Hall had found the net with the Foxes’ first attempt on target to cancel out Georginio Rutter’s strike.
The Leicester attacker got above late substitute Luke Ayling and directed the header right into the postage stamp of Meslier’s goal, but a big hand came out to block the chance and preserve a massive three points.
It was a timely reminder of the quality he possesses at his best after a year that saw him under siege during the Premier League relegation battle and heavily criticised before losing his place.
Expected transfer interest in the summer never materialised as a result so he has come back in as number one for Daniel Farke over new signing Karl Darlow, and after that late save he won’t be in any danger of getting dropped again.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites man was hailed for a “masterful” contribution to the victory on Friday night.