Illan Meslier explains pivotal Leeds United play-off moment — Leeds Live 17/5/24
The Whites goalkeeper had to be at his very best to deny Josh Sargant in their play-off win over Norwich
You could be forgiven for thinking goalkeeper Illan Meslier
had an easy night as Leeds United stormed to the Championship play-off final
with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Norwich City on Thursday night.
After all, the visitors had just one shot on target all game
as Daniel Farke's side's first-half blitz put the game to bed before the
half-time whistle. But while the euphoria inside Elland Road grew with each
goal, things could have been very different if the Frenchman had not been on
his toes to deny Josh Sargent in the opening period.
Leeds had just gone two goals ahead thanks to Joel Piroe's
header following Ilia Gruev's opener when the Norwich forward capitalised on a
rare slip from Ethan Ampadu to bear down on the home goal. Meslier, however,
was alert to the danger, rushing out to narrow the angle before producing a
first-class stop to claw Sargent's chipped effort away.
It was a potential turning point avoided and while Leeds
went on to further assert their authority with goals from Georginio Rutter and
Crysencio Summerville, the fact Norwich were denied a huge opportunity to get
back into the game cannot be overlooked.
Meslier knew the importance of the save and told LUTV: “It
is the position of a goalkeeper, sometimes you just have one action and you
have to answer - show you are here and you are ready.
"I think it was an important save because you never
know after 23 minutes what can happen at 2-1 so, to be honest, I am very happy
and proud to help the team. That's simple. I was trying to take up as much
space as possible. Then at the last moment I saw that he was going to chip so I
just tried to put my arms up to cover the most space that I could and I am
happy that I could touch the ball."
