Eagle-eyed fans spot Illan Meslier’s cheeky celebration at Sheffield United supporters
Leeds extended their lead at the top of the Championship as two late goals saw them claim a 3-1 win at title rivals Sheffield United. Ao Tanaka struck in the 89th and 90th minute against their nearest rivals in the table to go five points clear at the Championship summit. Leeds took a huge step towards promotion back to the Premier LeagueGetty Meslier rubbed it in at the Sheffield United fans sat in their Kop EndSky Sports An own goal from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier had handed the Blades a half-time lead and after Junior Firpo had headed the visitors level the late goal specialists had the final say. Suspended Leeds boss Daniel Farke looked on from the television gantry as Sheffield United set about his side from kick-off, with Leeds’ bid to ride the early storm undermined by Meslier’s jitters. The Frenchman, whose late howler at Sunderland in October cost Leeds victory, had been in fine form since being at fault for all three goals in a 3-3 draw at Hull in January. But he looked all at sea as his side came under early pressure. Meslier had already dropped two crosses when he flapped at a corner, allowing Tyrese Campbell to get in a header, which was cleared off the goal-line by Ilia Gruev, and another fumble handed a 14th-minute lead to the hosts. Callum O’Hare’s header from Ben Brereton Diaz’s teasing cross was tipped on to the crossbar and down on to the goal-line by Meslier and when Campbell headed the rebound against a post, the Leeds goalkeeper failed to gather the ball and instead parried into his own net. The home side threatened again from Campbell’s cross, with Junior Firpo getting his toe to the ball a fraction before O’Hare. Leeds steadily wrestled back control and began to create chances of their own, with Manor Solomon twice firing straight at Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper before half-time. Meslier did well to gather Vini Souza’s dangerous through-ball early in the second period before Leeds’ appeals for a penalty, after Dan James went down under Jack Robinson’s challenge, were waved away by referee David Webb. There was no let-up from the Blades though. Ao Tanaka nipped in to deny Sydie Peck a clear shot at goal and Souza’s effort forced Meslier into a low save. The Blades took the lead on 14 minutes after Campbell’s header came off the post and deflected in-off MeslierGetty Meslier looked shaky for a few minutes after the opener and he was jeered at by Blades fans… he and Leeds had the last laugh thoughGetty Leeds substitute Mateo Joseph lashed a chance over the crossbar before Firpo hauled the visitors level with a thumping 72nd-minute header from James’ pin-point cross. Harrison Burrows’ bouncing shot was well saved by Meslier and Piroe forced Cooper into a fine parry as both sides chased a winner. Cooper then produced the save of the match to keep out substitute Wilfried Gnonto’s curling shot, but Leeds finished with a flourish. Tanaka headed into the top corner following Firpo’s header from substitute Joe Rothwell’s corner with two minutes left. As the Leeds celebrations unfolded, the camera panned to Meslier at the other end of the pitch with the 24-year-old appearing to rub his hands on each arm, much like Cole Palmer‘s famous ‘cold’ celebration. One fan said: “Meslier doing the Palmer [crying emoji].” Tanaka put Leeds in front with this header following a cornerGetty Leeds will take some catchingGetty Another fan said: “Blacked out for a moment there but did Meslier really do the Morgan Rogers/Palmer ‘cold’ celebration?” While this fan claimed: “Meslier has done the Cole Palmer celebration. He’s so worldwide.” In the 90th minute Piroe lashed home Leeds’ third following James’ cut-back to seal victory.
Leeds extended their lead at the top of the Championship as two late goals saw them claim a 3-1 win at title rivals Sheffield United.
Ao Tanaka struck in the 89th and 90th minute against their nearest rivals in the table to go five points clear at the Championship summit.
An own goal from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier had handed the Blades a half-time lead and after Junior Firpo had headed the visitors level the late goal specialists had the final say.
Suspended Leeds boss Daniel Farke looked on from the television gantry as Sheffield United set about his side from kick-off, with Leeds’ bid to ride the early storm undermined by Meslier’s jitters.
The Frenchman, whose late howler at Sunderland in October cost Leeds victory, had been in fine form since being at fault for all three goals in a 3-3 draw at Hull in January.
But he looked all at sea as his side came under early pressure.
Meslier had already dropped two crosses when he flapped at a corner, allowing Tyrese Campbell to get in a header, which was cleared off the goal-line by Ilia Gruev, and another fumble handed a 14th-minute lead to the hosts.
Callum O’Hare’s header from Ben Brereton Diaz’s teasing cross was tipped on to the crossbar and down on to the goal-line by Meslier and when Campbell headed the rebound against a post, the Leeds goalkeeper failed to gather the ball and instead parried into his own net.
The home side threatened again from Campbell’s cross, with Junior Firpo getting his toe to the ball a fraction before O’Hare.
Leeds steadily wrestled back control and began to create chances of their own, with Manor Solomon twice firing straight at Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper before half-time.
Meslier did well to gather Vini Souza’s dangerous through-ball early in the second period before Leeds’ appeals for a penalty, after Dan James went down under Jack Robinson’s challenge, were waved away by referee David Webb.
There was no let-up from the Blades though. Ao Tanaka nipped in to deny Sydie Peck a clear shot at goal and Souza’s effort forced Meslier into a low save.
Leeds substitute Mateo Joseph lashed a chance over the crossbar before Firpo hauled the visitors level with a thumping 72nd-minute header from James’ pin-point cross.
Harrison Burrows’ bouncing shot was well saved by Meslier and Piroe forced Cooper into a fine parry as both sides chased a winner.
Cooper then produced the save of the match to keep out substitute Wilfried Gnonto’s curling shot, but Leeds finished with a flourish.
Tanaka headed into the top corner following Firpo’s header from substitute Joe Rothwell’s corner with two minutes left.
As the Leeds celebrations unfolded, the camera panned to Meslier at the other end of the pitch with the 24-year-old appearing to rub his hands on each arm, much like Cole Palmer‘s famous ‘cold’ celebration.
One fan said: “Meslier doing the Palmer [crying emoji].”
Another fan said: “Blacked out for a moment there but did Meslier really do the Morgan Rogers/Palmer ‘cold’ celebration?”
While this fan claimed: “Meslier has done the Cole Palmer celebration. He’s so worldwide.”
In the 90th minute Piroe lashed home Leeds’ third following James’ cut-back to seal victory.
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