Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier made the costly mistake that led to Sunderland tying contest in the second half stoppage after he misplayed the ball. After the match, cameras caught the player laughing, which one pundit believes wasn’t a good look.
Chris Rigg put the home side ahead early with a ninth-minute goal to make it 1-0. However, the Whites quickly responded, as Joël Piroe equalized in the 22nd minute.
The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1. Junior Firpo gave Leeds the lead again with a goal in the 56th minute, which seemed enough to secure the win. But the game took a dramatic twist in stoppage time.
A costly mistake from Meslier gifted Sunderland an equalizer. Alan Browne’s cross deflected off Firpo’s head, and as Meslier tried to collect it, the ball slipped through his hands and into the net, earning Sunderland a vital point.
Former Leeds player on how Illan Meslier reacted postgame
Despite his huge mistake and the consequences that cost Leeds two points, Meslier was spotted laughing and joking with his former Lorient manager, Regis Le Bris, after the match.
While speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, former Leeds player Jon Newsome expressed his confusion over why Meslier seemed to be laughing off a significant mistake he had just made rather than acknowledging it.
“I do agree that you can’t be stood out there, laughing and joking with the other team’s manager,” Newsome said (h/t LeedsUnited.News). “You’ve got to show some humility and awareness of the situation. Have to be a bit more professional than that.
“If I’d have seen him laughing and joking, I think I would have had a few words to say to him. If I’d have played for 96 minutes, I would have had something to say to him in the dressing room.”
Leeds must regroup and return strong after the break. They have a crucial match against promotion rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on October 18. The Whites recently drew with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion and lost to Burnley.
Missing out on wins against key promotion contenders could hurt them later in the season, especially with the Championship race being so tight. A victory over the Blades would be the perfect way to bounce back from the disappointment of dropping points at the Stadium of Light.
