Joel Piroe heaps praise on Leeds United star Illan Meslier after ‘outstanding’ moment at Coventry

Add as preferred source on Google

The scoreline does not tell the whole story as Leeds United went to Coventry City and secured a solid 2-0 win away from home, but it could easily have been a mirror of Saturday’s 7-0 win over Cardiff.

First-half goals from Joel Piroe and Jayden Bogle pretty much ended the game before half-time arrived. But Leeds looked to add more goals in the second half as Coventry pushed players forward to get a goal.

Frank Lampard’s men left gaps behind and Leeds exploited them without scoring, even though there was a glut of really good chances. Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and striker Piroe all missed absolute sitters.

At the other end, Illan Meslier was called upon on two occasions. The Frenchman has been under fire in recent weeks since the 3-3 draw at Hull, but Daniel Farke defended Meslier and has kept him as no.1.

• READ MORE: Leeds fans wound up Frank Lampard on Wednesday night, and he responded

Joel Piroe heaps praise on “outstanding” Illan Meslier after win

A 19th win in 31 Championship games, Leeds now sit five clear of Sheffield United and Burnley with The Clarets in second but Leeds and Burnley having played a game extra given Leeds remain in The FA Cup.

It meant the clash against Coventry was pushed forward to allow Leeds to face Millwall on Saturday in the fourth round. But Leeds had Meslier to thank in the second half, with Leeds fans delighted with Meslier.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Piroe praised Meslier: “It is extra difficult for him when he doesn’t have to do much for the whole game and then suddenly has to make a save. Outstanding today, really helped us.”

Daniel Farke’s super man management on full show with Meslier

Farke could have criticised him publicly, the German could have dropped Leeds’ no.1. But instead he delivered an impassioned defence of Meslier after the 3-3 draw against Hull, and Meslier has starred.

Five clean sheets in the Championship in a row since, and 19 clean sheets in 31 games. While he might not have much to do in some of those matches, on Wednesday night he was called upon to make saves.

He did just that. His save to tip a Coventry header onto the bar was a good save, a reactionary one. But the save to deny Ellis Simms was world class, a breathtaking bit of goalkeeping. A big confidence boost.