Paul Robinson believes Cardiff City left Illan Meslier ‘very disappointed’ after scoring past the Leeds United goalkeeper. Even though his Whites squad won their FA Cup replay 5-2.
Wilfried Gnonto (1’, 36’), Rodrigo (34’) and Patrick Bamford (71’, 76’) dealt the damage at Elland Road on Wednesday. But Callum Robinson (84’, 90+3’) struck a brace in the closing stages of little consolation for his Championship squad against Premier League opposition.
Leeds will now face either Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Their potential next opponents also needed a replay to settle their third-round tie. But the Wham Stadium pitch was unplayable on Tuesday and it will be played on the 24th.
Meslier was often a bystander as Leeds cruised to victory at home to Cardiff in the FA Cup replay. The Bluebirds struggled to test the 22-year-old as Gnonto lit up the encounter and Rodrigo and Bamford also struck. But Robinson found his way home approaching full-time.
A mistake by Luke Ayling gifted Robinson a chance to head home past Meslier after flicking the ball on. Marc Roca then handed the 27-year-old another chance to score after handling the ball. Robinson would make no mistake with his penalty to send Meslier the wrong way.
Robinson and Cardiff will have left Leeds star Meslier ‘very disappointed’
Leeds held Cardiff to just six shots with four on target to their 23 shots and nine finding the mark, per SofaScore. Meslier saved two of the efforts which required dealing with and also made a high claim. Jak Alnwick at the other end made three saves without any high claims.
Meslier saving Mark Harris and Sheyi Ojo’s attempts had set the Whites’ £5m signing from FC Lorient on course for just his fourth clean sheet in 20 games across all competitions this season. The ex-France U21 gem has kept all of his shutouts in 18 Premier League games.
So, Robinson believes mistakes by Leeds duo Ayling and Roca gifting Robinson and Cardiff two goals will have frustrated Meslier. The 6 ft 5 shot-stopper has only kept one shutout in his past 12 appearances. He denied Newcastle United in their 0-0 draw on New Year’s Eve.
“Illan Meslier’s night will be ruined by not keeping a clean sheet,” ex-England goalkeeper Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Goalkeepers are a different breed.
“He’ll be happy with the performance and the way that his team has performed going forward, and I’m sure he saw a real opportunity to add to his few clean sheets.
“He has had nothing to do all night and there was nothing he could do with that goal. He will go home very disappointed because clean sheets do matter to you.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
