ILLAN MESLIER dropped an almighty clanger as Leeds blew two points at the death against Sunderland.
Daniel Farke’s side looked set for a comeback victory thanks to Junior Firpo’s first goal in 18 months.
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His last strike was in the Premier League, and this looked like going a huge way towards helping them return to the top flight.
That was until disaster struck for the French stopper in the 97th minute after sub Alan Browne’s tame headed flick from a long punt forward from Anthony Patterson.
It bounced straight towards Meslier, but amazingly he allowed it to go straight through his hands and legs to gift his former Lorient coach Regis Le Bris a point.
Fans on social media mocked the blunder – labelling it “the worst goalkeeping error ever” and “atrocious”.
And Browne said: “I’d turned away, I thought the lads would be going mad then the keeper chucked it in the net.
“I’m almost embarrassed but I’ll still claim it, too right.
“Whether we deserved it or not I’m not sure. They really came at us after we scored but we had a couple of spells in the second half.
“We didn’t really create the chance that we needed but luckily I came up with the goods.”
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The power of Sunderland’s own promotion push had threatened to go off the Rigg-ter scale as they exploded into life and took the lead inside the opening ten.
Jobe Bellingham, whose rocket on Tuesday downed Derby, had already come close before another talented teen made the breakthrough.
FANS’ VERDICT ON MESLIER ‘HORROR SHOW’
FANS were as stunned as players by Illan Meslier’s costly last-gasp cock-up.
The Leeds keeper was lambasted after Alan Browne’s soft headed flick crept in off the Frenchman’s hands to rescue a 2-2 home draw for Championship leaders Sunderland.
One viewer posted: “Oh wow that is atrocious.”
A second fan dubbed it the “worst goalkeeping error ever”.
More jibes followed, including: “What a horrible show from Meslier” and “wopper”.
Amongst the cruellest verdicts was: “They need to send him to League Two.”
And one observer recons he knows how Meslier made his terrible slip-up.
He wrote: “You can see he was planning to fall on the ball once he’s caught it and takes his eyes off it.”
Trai Hume’s cross from the byline was eventually met by Dennis Cirkin at the back post.
Meslier made a brilliant flying save to deny him, but the goalie could do nothing to stop 17-year-old Rigg from slotting home the rebound.
It was a roar as loud as that from the red end of Wembley 51 years ago when Ian Porterfield famously secured the FA Cup for the Black Cats against the same opposition.
But just like Don Revie’s great side back then, going on to win the First Division title the following year, Daniel Farke’s current crop were far from down and out.
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The German opted for Joel Piroe, who had two goals in his last three outings, he repaid that faith as Sunderland’s lead lasted barely 13 minutes.
A block from the unfortunate Bellingham fell to Wilfried Gnonto out right, and Piroe managed to peel off his marker to nod in, albeit with a hint of offside.
Regis Le Bris’ young guns had not conceded at home all season and they were no longer rocking, instead they were creaking, as the visitors began to turn the screw.
Largie Ramazani almost headed Leeds ahead but Sunderland retaliated.
They appeared to be getting their second wind as Bellingham was denied a certain goal when his strike was deflected wide but the momentum was halted by the half time whistle.
And the wind was knocked well and truly out of their sails only 11 minutes after the restart.
Ramazani started it, amidst screams for handball, by teeing up Junior Firpo to charge forward.
The defender played a one-two with Gnonto and swept home like a seasoned striker for what looked to be the winner – until Meslier’s howler kept them three points behind the leaders.
Sunderland boss Le Bris said of Meslier: “I’m disappointed for him because he’s a nice boy. Anyone on the pitch can make a mistake.”
And Leeds’ Daniel Farke commented: “I’ve worked in professional football for 30 years but it’s the first time I’ve experienced that.
“Normally the goalkeeper takes the ball, clears it and the referee blows the final whistle and the game is won, but not this time.
“You don’t have to speak to him [Meslier] about it right now, you wait until the dust has settled but we were fantastic in the first half after going behind.”
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