Don Goodman believes Daniel Farke could not have legislated for Illan Meslier’s blunder, which cost Leeds United two points at Sunderland.
The Sky Sports pundit, the Whites manager, and the goalie himself couldn’t believe what transpired in the last stages of the game on October 4, when the Black Cats were granted a 97th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2.
Goodman reacted live on the broadcaster’s match commentary, admitting he didn’t know what to say but pointing out that there was nothing the manager could have done after Alan Browne hooked a speculative ball forward off Junior Firpo, which Meslier allowed to bounce past him and in.
Goodman stated (9.55pm): “We’ve seen some goalkeeping gaffes in our time. This ranks right up there. This is right up there; he cannot believe it.
“This is a gift. It is a present. And you can’t legislate for it if you’re Daniel Farke, or Leeds United; how can you legislate for something like this?
“It’s incredible…” I am at a loss for words.
Illan Meslier concedes a sensational late goal for Leeds United.
Farke’s job has been called into question as his team struggled through an erratic first few weeks of the season [Graham Smyth, 19 September].
But he was seconds away from producing the sort of result that could have truly kickstarted the season as his injury-hit team rallied to slipping behind early away to the Championship leaders, pulling back control with goals from Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo.
There really were players who weren’t up to grade, like Brenden Aaronson, Jayden Bogle, and, in the first half, Joe Rodon, but foar most of the night Meslier wasn’t one.
It’s no surprise the manager looked sick on the bench as he saw a replay of the keeper’s perplexing gaffe, which came out of nowhere and appeared to be utterly unrelated to the rest of his performance.
Farke may face more questions after his team missed the opportunity to draw level with Sunderland at the top, but aside from playing Karl Darlow instead of Meslier and Sam Byram instead of Bogle, who conceded the free kick that led to the final sequence, the German is unquestionably not to blame.
He was seconds away from being praised for orchestrating a mature victory, and it’s difficult to understand why that didn’t happen.
Meslier received a knee to the head after Pascal Struijk was pushed into him by Wilson Isidor while gathering a dangerous ball late in the game, which may explain the stunning error.
The goalie has had his fair share of setbacks since being picked for the top prior to Premier League relegation, but he had one of his best games before to that blow, which necessitated medical attention.
He bobbled and caught one cross after that, but it was no warning of what was to follow, and if it proves costly for Leeds United or Farke, it will be even more painful.
