Leeds United might have been looking for revenge on Sunday afternoon but none more than Illan Meslier would have wanted three points – after his red card in the reverse fixture, on Boxing Day.
Leeds were beaten 2-1 at Deepdale the day after Christmas, when Alan Browne and Liam Millar scored to cancel out Pascal Struijk’s penalty. The flurry of goals came after Meslier was handed a straight red.
Pushed when collecting a cross, Meslier reacted angrily when Miluton Osmajic confronted him – pushing the striker in the face. Osmajic threw himself to the ground, buying a red and a ban for the 23-year-old.
Indeed, Meslier was missing for the next three – against West Brom, Birmingham and Peterborough. So, there was plenty to play for Farke and Leeds, in the race for promotion and revenge over the Lilywhites.
But no-one, even Joel Piroe, would have enjoyed the injury-time winner over Ryan Lowe’s side on the weekend more than our French goalkeeper. Meslier aimed a dig at Preston on Instagram, after the game.
Illan Meslier aims dig at Preston as Leeds United win on Sunday
A crucial win, and a victory that Daniel Farke said could be a season-defining moment come the end of the campaign – because of the rivalry, the late goal and the mere fact that it was a much-needed win.
Vindication for Meslier, as he gets the last laugh. It could be an even better win come the close of play tonight, as Leicester host Ipswich. A Foxes win sees the gap between Leeds and Ipswich shorten to four.
If Leeds are to chase Ipswich and Southampton down in the race for second place, then Meslier will need to show his best form – having already kept 10 clean sheets in his 26 appearances this season.
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