Daniel Farke addresses Illan Meslier position debate after 'heartbreaking' Leeds United moment — Leeds Live 29/3/25
Leeds United missed the chance to go back to the top of the Championship
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke could not hide his
disappointment after his side missed the chance to go back to the top of the
Championship.
The Whites made a dream start at home to mid-table Swansea
City, taking the lead after just 35 seconds. Brenden Aaronson bundled the ball
in from close range to claim his ninth goal of the season. It was the perfect
response from the USA international to those who have criticised his lack of
end product in the final third.
But the visitors could have levelled things up in the 14th
minute when they were awarded a penalty after Joe Rodon was penalised for a
foul in the box. Much-maligned goalkeeper Illan Meslier came to the Whites'
rescue, pulling off a fine stop to keep out Josh Tymon's low spot kick. United
were lucky to be ahead at the break after a poor, disjointed display.
Meslier went from hero to villain in the second half.
Moments after making a great save, the French shot-stopper dropped a corner at
the foot of Harry Darling, who poked the ball home to equalise in the 64th
minute.
But there was late drama at Elland Road. Forward Wilfried
Gnonto, who had been a big injury doubt ahead of the clash, made an instant
impact after coming off the bench. He fired United back in front in the 86th
minute to spark wild celebration scenes.
However, Zan Vipotnik salvaged a point for the Swansea after
scoring from an acute angle. His strike proved too hot to handle for Meslier.
"It's a heartbreaking moment when you concede in this manner,"
acknowledged Farke. "It's football. Sometime you are on the wrong end on
the course of a long season.
"Today we are on the wrong end. We have had late
winners and made others feel the way we feel today. We have to suffer a little
bit but then we go again."
When asked about Meslier's inexplicable blunder for
Swansea's first goal, Farke said: "I cannot explain the first goal. We do
not have to talk about it.
"It was a typical first game after the break. Scruffy
game. Started strong, but not at our best. When the team has one session
together, 12 players away, it's always not at our best in possession. We needed
to shake the rustiness from the international break off. We spoke about this at
half time and how we need to calm down.
"We played a really good second half, much more control
and in their half. Ao [Tanaka] played a backpass for the corner, unnecessarily.
Fantastic reaction of my team. When you concede like this, we found the next
gear. Subs made an impact."
Is Farke considering leaving Meslier after his latest costly
errors? "Not right now [about thinking about his place in the team],"
he said. "I am far away from punishing a player on camera or in a press
conference.
"We win together and draw together. Everyone can see
what happened today. After such a heart-breaking game they don't need a manager
to put the disappointment on the players. It is not the time for comments on
this when everyone is every emotional after a draw like this."