Jeff Stelling criticised fans for laughing after Illan Meslier’s spectacular blunder for Leeds United at Sunderland.
The talkSPORT host blasted the Frenchman’s Whites teammates via X on October 4th after Junior Firpo stormed off the pitch and others were hesitant to soothe the keeper.
He then defended Meslier, 24, for his own reaction, which ranged from startled at his enormous error to wanting to chuckle at his situation.
In the 97th minute, the Leeds man allowed an unthreatening loose ball to bounce past him and into the net, giving the Black Cats an equaliser in the 2-2 draw just when victory appeared certain.
Stelling wrote: “By the way, to all those who say he is smirking/laughing afterwards, he is actually smiling in embarrassment.” What else is he supposed to do? Cry?”
Junior Firpo credited with Leeds United own-goal
Meslier was laughing so he wouldn’t cry, as the cliché goes, after appearing as stunned as anybody else in the seconds after the ball went in.
Despite his reputation from his early years at Elland Road, the goalie has struggled in recent seasons. However, he performed well at the Stadium of Light.
An indignant reaction is reasonable when a major victory is stolen away under such bizarre circumstances.
But it was strange that there was little attention in the aftermath of the final whistle to the fact Meslier had taken a knee to the head during the second half, after Pascal Struijk was pushed into him while receiving a low ball, because the late error gave the appearance of someone seeing double.
Despite the international break, there was plenty to be impressed by, including Willy Gnonto’s outstanding performance, who assisted goals for Joel Piroe and Firpo.
There are flaws in this team, and Farke is not immune to criticism, but the Whites had done the difficult job of recovering from an early hole to beat the league leaders.
99 times out of 100, they would have taken three points in that game, and if they build on the positives, they may still consider it a successful night.
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