Illan Meslier stuns Sky Sports pundit with ‘absolutely incredible’ success with ‘hardest job’ for Leeds United
Illan Meslier’s stoppage-time save to preserve the Leeds United victory at Leicester City was “absolutely incredible”, according to Jobi McAnuff.
The Sky Sports pundit was speaking live following the final whistle of 1-0 win at the King Power stadium on 3 November and hailed the keeper for success in the “hardest job” for a player in his position after he clawed out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 95th minute header.
Georginio Rutter’s goal took all three points at the runaway league leaders but it required the crucial late stop from the other French star to ensure victory.
McAnuff said amid the post-match celebrations (9.59pm): “Absolutely incredible. I think it’s the hardest job for a goalkeeper when you haven’t really been tested throughout the night.
“And then you’ve got to come up with a big, big moment at such a critical time in the game. You can see him there getting pushed [forward], and he deserves that because that save has played such a big part in Leeds making sure they held on to these three points.
“You can see the togetherness that’s growing and building in this camp, and to think where they were at the start of the season to where they are now, I think that’s why tonight feels like a real big, big win.”
Rebound
Despite a hugely impressive performance from a number of the Leeds United players on the night they would have been travelling home feeling thoroughly deflated if the hosts had stolen a point at the death.
So despite not having to make a save prior to that for 90 minutes-plus he had to be alert in the final seconds to ensure they secured the boost the win has provided.
Leicester remain 11 points ahead of Daniel Farke’s side thanks to the record-breaking form they have been in, and against high quality opposition the Whites were always going to need to be on their game from the first whistle to the last.
Meslier appeared to have let his concentration drop a week earlier as he fumbled a regulation catch into the path of Michal Helik to score a Huddersfield consolation.
If he had to make an error at any point for Leeds then late in a 4-1 victory with the points secured would probably be the best place for it.
And if ever there was a time to pull out an eye-catching stop then deep into added time away to the leaders with a narrow lead was also the ideal point.
The 23-year-old rebounded from one game to the next and after a tough year should take a lot of confidence from his key contribution.
In other Leeds United news, Henry Winter singled out six top performers in a rave review of the Whites win at the Foxes.