OTD: MESLIER HOWLER GIFTS SUNDERLAND POINT
Two years ago today, Sunderland stole a point at home to Leeds after Ilan Meslier somehow missed the ball from a deflected Alan Browne pass in the 97th minute.
The Black Cats went into the game top of the table, with Leeds fifth and very much expected to be up there come the end of the season, it was set to be a great contest at the SoL.
Sunderland went with a starting eleven of…
Patterson
Hume Mepham O’Nien Cirkin
Rigg Neil Bellingham
Roberts Isidor Mundle
With a bench of Simon Moore, Zak Johnson, Leo Hjelde, Alan Browne, Milan Aleksic, Abdoullah Ba, Tommy Watson, Aaron Connolly and Nazariy Rusyn.
Sunderland started the first half well with Jobe firing over the bar early doors and would take the lead shortly afterwards through Chris Rigg. Trai Hume’s cutback found Dennis Cirkin, whose shot was kept out by Meslier before falling kindly for the 17-year-old midfielder to convert from close range.
The visitors struggled to get going after Le Bris’ side came flying out of the blocks, however in the 22nd minute some great play down Leeds right hand side saw Willy Gnonto deliver a perfect ball into Joel Piroe, who’s header went low and past Anthony Patterson to level proceedings. It ended our impressive run of clean sheets at the SoL, having not conceded in our opening four home games.
With the scores all level at the break, it felt fairly obvious Leeds would come out for the second 45 a lot better than they did in the first, and that was certainly the case with the visitors taking the lead just eleven minutes after the restart. Gnonto was again involved as he set up Junior Firpo who placed the ball into the far corner. Which was his first goal in 56 games (very Sunderland).
Sunderland struggled to find a goal and Meslier had a relatively quiet game all things considered, that was until deep into stoppage time. Many of the usual early leavers were well on there way back to the car when Sunderland won a free kick on the half way line.
Anthony Patterson launched it up, with Jobe flicking it on towards substitute Alan Browne. His attempted through ball deflected off Firpo and looked to be heading straight towards the Leeds keeper. A slight spin off the bounce completely caught Meslier of guard though as it squirmed through his legs and rolled into the back of the net. Whether it was the pressure of Isidor running towards him or just a simple lapse in concentration the Frenchman had completely taken his eye off the ball and had cost his side three points, with the Sunderland fans still in the ground in utter disbelief at what had just happened.
It wouldn’t be the only late goal that we would score that season at the SoL…
