Michael Bridges spotted one Leeds player get outsmarted by Middlesbrough, he was in ‘no man’s land’

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One of Leeds United’s best results of the season saw Daniel Farke’s men secure a 3-1 victory over top-six candidate Middlesbrough at Elland Road, as Leeds returned to the top of the table.

There have been some excellent wins this term. The late winner against Swansea, the 2-0 home win over Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United and even the recent 3-0 win over Luton showed just how good Leeds are.

But on Tuesday night, Leeds took apart a Middlesbrough side that apart from a couple of chances and an own goal from a corner, offered little. Leeds controlled the ball and chances in the hunt for three points.

Tony Dorigo and Lee Hendrie differed on whether Boro should have had a penalty, but it was an excellent win with most of Leeds United’s players having excellent games. Under-fire Illan Meslier was no different.

• READ MORE: Leeds fans have picked their “best player on the pitch” after last night’s win

Michael Bridges says Illan Meslier got outsmarted for Boro goal

Meslier made a couple of super saves with the scoreline at 1-1, tipping Riley McGree’s effort over the bar before smothering Ben Doak when he was through. However, he could not secure his 12th clean sheet.

Max Wober inadvertently headed a Finn Azaz corner into the back of the net, with Meslier caught under the ball and left out of position following Wober’s header. Bridges criticised the goalkeeper on LUTV.

He explained how Meslier was outsmarted by Emmanuel Latte Lath: “Meslier had a fantastic game tonight. But just look at this, Meslier tries to go around Latte Lath – but Latte Lath is clever.

“He uses Wilfried Gnonto as a blocker and leans into him, against Meslier. I used to do it all the time in playing days. It left Meslier in no man’s land when he might have saved Wober’s header,” Bridges said.

Graeme Bailey’s update on Illan Meslier amid Rennes interest

Meslier has 11 clean sheets in his 20 Championship appearances, second-best behind Burnley’s James Trafford. But, delve a little deeper, and save percentage of shots on target is just 67.4%, the 14th best.

That is as much as 16% behind Trafford, who not only boasts the most clean sheets but the best save to shot percentage in the league. That has not stopped Jorge Sampaoli’s Rennes eyeing a move for Meslier.

Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that if Leeds don’t go up, Meslier will go. The Frenchman has eyes on the 2026 World Cup, but if he is to earn a move or play for France, much better is required.