Chris Sutton rips Junior Firpo to shreds after what happened in Sunderland v Leeds United
Chris Sutton has condemned Junior Firpo’s actions after Illan Meslier’s howler as Leeds United drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Friday (4 October).
With Leeds just seconds away from claiming a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light on Friday (4 October), the goalkeeper allowed a simple header from Alan Browne to bounce past him, dribbling into the back of the net in the 97th minute.
While some teammates chose to comfort the 24-year-old, left-back Firpo stormed down the tunnel back to the changing rooms at full-time, a decision which has not been greeted positively by fans.
Speaking via BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday (5 October), Sutton said: “Junior Firpo was really unhappy and stormed down the tunnel. That’s not a good teammate.
“I didn’t realise Firpo is [Paolo] Maldini at left-back. I’ve seen him make plenty of mistakes. You’ve got to stick together. I would’ve gone and given the goalkeeper a hug.”
Junior Firpo disappoints at full-time in Sunderland v Leeds United
Three points against the Black Cats would have been a vital moment in Leeds’ charge for the Championship title, though it was not to be for Daniel Farke’s side.
Meslier has often come under pressure for some of his mistakes at Elland Road, and none more so than now, with some fans calling for Karl Darlow to take the gloves against Sheffield United.
The Championship is a long, tiring campaign, one which requires teams to work together if they are to claim promotion to the top tier of English football, even sticking together through the tough moments.
Despite dropping two points at the death, Leeds are still in the play-off spots, three points off the top of the table, with 37 matches still left to play.
There will be many positive and negative moments along the way, though many will be hoping not quite as dramatic as Meslier’s blunder.
In other Leeds United news, one player has sent a five-word message from his hospital bed after undergoing surgery.
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