Illan Meslier is going to be unable to escape the Leeds United spotlight for the next two weeks but pundit Jon Newsome does not believe he was the only one at fault against Sunderland.
Leeds had been a matter of seconds away from earning an impressive 2-1 away win at the Championship league leaders until Meslier’s mistake cost Daniel Farke’s side three points.
Following their exploits at Norwich City on Tuesday night Leeds were quite clearly out on their feet during the closing stages at the Stadium of Light, which is why they were happy to sit back on their slender lead.
However, Meslier somehow allowed an innocuous bouncing ball to roll past him in the 97th minute to earn Sunderland a very unlikely point.
Having looked like he would be Leeds’ match-winner, Junior Firpo was credited with the own goal and was spotted storming down the tunnel at full-time.
- READ MORE: Daniel Farke shares how Illan Meslier reacted in the dressing room after costly Leeds United error
Jon Newsome says Brenden Aaronson also cost Leeds vs Sunderland
As mentioned, Leeds were fairly happy to allow Sunderland to have the ball after going 2-1 ahead and did well to limit the home side to very little in the way of chances.
Having said that, Leeds put so much energy into keeping Sunderland out, they were also unable to cause much trouble on the counter-attack.
But midway through stoppage time, Brenden Aaronson did have the chance to put the game to bed as he latched onto a lovely switch of play from substitute Isaac Schmidt.
On the edge of the area, Aaronson had all the time and space in the world to either find one of the corners or Wilfried Gnonto, but instead saw his wayward shot cannon off the defender.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds post-match, Newsome believes that is a chance Aaronson should’ve done much better with, which would’ve meant Meslier’s error never happened.
He said: “You look at the game back in it’s entirety, and you even look at the second half, the chance that Brenden Aaronson had towards the end, to me it’s a pass. Just pass it into the goal or lay Willy Gnonto in.
“Little things like that where I feel we have to be more clinical. If Leeds are going to get automatic promotion this season, when they are on top, they’re dominating the game and creating chances, they have to be more clinical at the top end of the pitch.”
- READ MORE: Pascal Struijk shares what he spotted in Sunderland’s pitch after Illan Meslier error for Leeds
Aaronson endured worst Leeds game since return
Aaronson has been a breath of fresh air in that number 10 role since his return but last night’s game looked a step too far.
For the first time all season, Aaronson looked as though he struggled with the physicality of the match.
In fairness to him, Aaronson is not used to the sort of jam-packed schedule of a three-game Championship week and given the amount of distance he covers, it was not a surprise to see him tire.
Unfortunately, Aaronson won’t get too much time to rest before Leeds’ next game against Sheffield United, as he has been named in the USA squad.
To make matters worse, USA play their second game away in Mexico during the early hours of Wednesday morning, leaving him practically no time to fly home, recover and be ready for a Friday night Yorkshire derby with the Blades.
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