Leeds United fans will love what Illan Meslier just did away from Elland Road
Illan Meslier saved a penalty as Leeds United Under-21s lost 3-1 to West Ham on Saturday afternoon in Premier League 2.
Meslier is yet to play a single senior game for Daniel Farke’s side this season, so he has dropped down to the reserves on a couple of occasions to get some minutes under his belt.
As his Leeds teammates were preparing to face Manchester City at Elland Road, the Frenchman was between the sticks for the Under-21s against West Ham.
The 28-year-old conceded three goals, but did manage to save Josh Ajala’s first-half penalty, diving to his right to keep out the spot-kick.
Leeds Under-21s lose to West Ham
Meslier’s penalty save kept the score at 0-0 after 25 minutes, but Ajala, who had been thwarted from 12 yards, eventually opened the scoring for the Hammers.
The West Ham forward put his side in front midway through the second half, but Ollie Pickles was on hand to volley in the equaliser.
However, just three minutes after Pickles tied the game up, Leeds found themselves behind again, Ryan Battrum firing a first-time strike past Meslier.
The Whites’ shot-stopper was then beaten for a third time in the closing stages, Preston Fearon wrapping up the victory for the Hammers after good work from Ajala.
Leeds have now gone six games without a win in Premier League 2, losing five of those matches, and have dropped down to 23rd in the table as a result.
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Illan Meslier set for Leeds exit in summer
Despite making a penalty save on Saturday, it has been an extremely disappointing campaign for Meslier.
He was the first-choice shot-stopper for the majority of last season, before being dropped in mid-March after a host of high-profile mistakes.
Leeds went on to win the Championship and secure promotion to the Premier League, but they may have proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Meslier’s career at Elland Road.
Farke clearly doesn’t believe that the Frenchman has what it takes to feature in the top-flight, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he now looks almost certain to depart.
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