Illan Meslier blamed over Leeds United anxiety in chaotic 4-3 win at Middlesbrough
Illan Meslier has been blamed for the anxiety as Leeds United secured a dramatic 4-3 win at Middlesbrough by Jon Newsome.
The former Whites defender reacted live on BBC Radio Leeds (22 April) after the French keeper had a difficult time in goal as Daniel Farke’s side held on for a vital three points at the Riverside, branding him a “calamity”.
Meslier’s teammates may have been more at fault for the two first-half Boro strikes, via Isaiah Jones and Emmanuel Latte Lathe, although he didn’t shower himself in glory for either, but he was caught in no man’s land as Latte Lathe looped a late header over him to set up a nervy end to the game where he then flapped at numerous high balls.
Newsome said, via the BBC Sport live-blog (10.04pm): “We had calamity Joe in the sticks! I don’t know what Meslier was doing tonight. It wasn’t just the goals. Anyone would be anxious watching that!”
Leeds United keeper caught out by Emmanuel Latte Lathe
Meslier has, for the most part, rebounded this season behind a much-improved defence to put his nightmare Premier League relegation campaign behind him, with Karl Darlow’s arrival somewhat forgotten despite expectations of a position battle last summer.
But with the solidity of this Whites line-up deserting them under pressure in recent weeks it looked like nerves were playing on the 24-year-old.
He wasn’t an outright disaster but he shouldn’t have allowed Latte Lathe to head a long ball forward straight over him from the edge of the box in the 87th minute.
In doing so he gave Michael Carrick’s side late belief in front of their own fans and destabilised his own teammates, with the prospect of a fourth-straight game without a Championship victory suddenly revived.
Meslier certainly couldn’t claim to have been commanding his area in the final minutes as Boro swung high balls into his box, but the most important thing on the night was the three points that Farke and his players managed to leave with.
There were much more encouraging signs in an attacking sense but Leeds United still need to rediscover the defensive nouse that they had earlier in 2024 if they are to secure automatic promotion.
In other Leeds United news, Mike Dean was appalled by what an “awful” Whites player did in his latest controversy.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.