Sunderland 2-2 Leeds: Meslier howler gifts Black Cats a point

Illan Meslier’s bizzare error gifted Sunderland a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Leeds at the Stadium of Light on Friday.

The home supporters were sent into raptures by one of their own in the ninth minute when Chris Rigg opened the scoring, tucking home from close range after Meslier had produced a miraculous save to deny Dennis Cirkin’s previous effort.

But Sunderland’s joy was short-lived when Joel Piroe headed Wilfried Gnonto’s inviting delivery beyond Anthony Patterson, though replays showed he may have wandered into an offside position.

Both sides continued to push for a half-time lead, with Brenden Aaronson seeing his shot cleared off the line while Patrick Roberts’ effort was saved to bring a pulsating half of action to a close.

The hosts emerged from the tunnel in the ascendency but were met with a sucker punch in the 56th minute when Junior Firpo’s driving run from deep ended with the left-back sweeping the ball into the far corner.

But with the clock ticking into the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, there was to be one final twist when Alan Browne’s flicked pass into the box somehow evaded the grasp of Meslier to preserve Sunderland’s unbeaten home record this season.

The result moves Leeds up to third ahead of the weekend’s action, while Sunderland stay top and move two points clear of Burnley ahead of the Clarets’ early kick-off against Preston North End.

It finishes level at the Stadium of Light #SUNLEE pic.twitter.com/Qp6SRc95mE

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 4, 2024

Data Debrief: Meslier blunder overshadows Leeds display

Leeds were moments away from going level on points with Sunderland at the summit of the Championship, before a moment of madness sealed a gut-wrenching end to an enthralling encounter in the North East.

The visitors ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.16 from their 15 shots compared to Sunderland’s 1.77, with Piroe contributing 0.72 xG to Leeds’ tally.

But their display was overshadowed by Meslier’s blunder, with the Frenchman enjoying a strong performance up until that point, making three saves against the Black Cats.