Jon Newsome has given his reaction to the performance of Illan Meslier as Leeds United claimed a big win in the Championship promotion race by beating Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday night.
It was another clean sheet for Illan Meslier this season. Quite often this term, Meslier has been little more than another centre-back, providing an option to pass to. But he needed to make some big saves against the Owls.
Wednesday had a golden chance to take the lead after 18 minutes, with Anthony Musaba left one on one a few yards out after a corner from the home side.
Jon Newsome praises Illan Meslier after Leeds win
The Frenchman made himself big as he closed Musaba down. And he was rewarded, with the Wednesday player’s effort hitting Meslier’s leg and going past the far post.
Meslier would have a shaky moment late on, when he spilled a long-range shot, and needed Ethan Ampadu to make a clearance off the goalline.
But speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Jon Newsome suggested that it was a huge moment in the first-half which saw Meslier really step up.
“I thought it was a fabulous save, first-half, which was probably the chance of the game for Sheffield Wednesday. He came out and made himself big, again he got just enough on it by his thigh to deflect it wide,” he said.
“And then the second-half, that speculative effort from outside the box, like I said, it might have just got a little ricochet. It just seemed to off-foot him a little bit, and he didn’t really deal great with the first one. Did alright with the second one. But there again, Ampadu was there to read the game.”
Frenchman earned that slice of luck after some brilliant saves this season
There is still an element of not exactly knowing how good Meslier is. He was exceptional in his first 12 months in the side, and shone at Premier League level. But, like many others, Meslier was nowhere near good enough last season. And Sam Allardyce ended up dropping him.
He has not let the side down this season, apart from picking up a red card against Preston North End. And Meslier has come up with some spectacular saves along the way too. So perhaps he deserved that slice of fortune in the second-half on what was clearly a difficult pitch to play on.
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