Jermaine Beckford has claimed that Illan Meslier produced a ‘rare howler’ during Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday, as he told Final Score.
The former Leeds striker couldn’t believe what he was seeing from the 21-year-old during a controversial moment of the game.
With the game in the final 15 minutes, Danny Rose whipped in a corner which Meslier couldn’t gather properly.
He dropped the ball straight into the path of the opposition and it was bundled home, only for the referee’s whistle to save him.
It was adjudged that Liam Cooper was fouled by Christian Kabasele, although on second viewing, it wasn’t as concrete as that.
Nonetheless, whilst Beckford admitted that the call to disallow the goal was ‘harsh’, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing from Leeds young gun in between the sticks.
“Correct decision,” joked Beckford. “It was a howler and a very rare howler, at that, from Illan Meslier.
“It’s something we aren’t used to seeing from him, which is why it’s a big deal. But Liam Cooper was getting fouled just before that.
“It’s a correct decision, but a harsh one on that.”
For Meslier, at his age, to be donning the gloves in the Premier League is some achievement and then to do it for a pressure-cooker of a team like Leeds.
He is years and years away from being anywhere near his best, but one thing is for sure, he is showing serious promise.
It doesn’t help the Frenchman that he is playing in an open expansive team that concedes a lot of chances at his goal.
So, from that perspective, his numbers aren’t going to look as promising as others, but it’s all part of his process in trying to reach the top.
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