Stuart Dallas says which Leeds United player was to blame for Portsmouth goal – Joe Rodon or Illan Meslier

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Joe Rodon and Illan Meslier were guilty of a defensive mix-up when Conor Oglivie curled a ball round the Leeds United defence for Colby Bishop to chase – and it resulted in the only goal of the game.

Rodon seemed to expect Meslier to come and get it while Meslier expected Rodon to shield goalside of Bishop. Both were not at their best as Bishop nipped in between and dinked a little chip off the post.

A goal that proved to be the only one on Sunday at Fratton Park, as Leeds suffered only a fourth defeat of the Championship season in what was their 36th game. A bad weekend for Leeds in the promotion race.

Joel Piroe missed two massive chances, Dan James headed an effort wide while Leeds should have had a penalty in the first half according to Lee Hendrie and Lucy Ward. But, Portsmouth were worthy of the win.

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Stuart Dallas says who was to blame for Portsmouth’s goal

Rodon seemed like he wanted nothing to do with Oglivie’s ball round the corner, not even looking at Meslier as the Frenchman waited to come off his line. Almost as if, Meslier was waiting for Rodon to say.

When he did finally make a break for it, it was too late and Bishop had got to the ball. The striker supplied a gorgeous little finish over Meslier, and Dallas has told ITV Sport that Meslier made up Bishop’s mind.

“You see Rodon here, he is almost expecting Meslier to come out but Meslier hesitates and you ask Colby Bishop what will have made his mind up to shoot – well it was that [Meslier hesitating],” Dallas said.

Aidy White thinks Joe Rodon should have done better for goal

White thinks Rodon was to blame for Bishop even having half a chance of getting to the ball in the first place with the Welshman seeming sluggish in trying to catch up to the on-rushing Bishop on 61 minutes.

White told BBC Radio Leeds: “Bishop has run off the back of Rodon and Rodon lets him go. Then Rodon is hoping that Meslier helps him out but he’s nowhere. Leeds won three tackles to Portsmouth’s 12.”

While White blames Rodon for the goal, the former Leeds man’s point is the main reason why Leeds lost. The Whites, uncharacteristically, were bullied by a physical Portsmouth side who were tactically strong.