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‘Illan Meslier will never wear Leeds shirt again’ – fans explode

by The Star0
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Leeds United fans have responded with a universal message after Karl Darlow kept a clean sheet in their win over Middlesbrough.

Daniel Farke’s side snapped a run of three straight draws by beating Boro 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, returning to the summit of the Championship table on goal difference as a result.

Leeds should have recorded a more comfortable victory than they did on Teeside, with Daniel James’ second-minute winner being followed up by two wrongly-disallowed goals for offside in either half.

Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford’s strikes towards the back end of both halves were chalked off thanks to the linesman’s flag being incorrectly raised, but Farke’s side were still able to see out the victory.

The three points – accompanied by Burnley’s draw at Derby and Sheffield United’s home loss to Millwall – puts Leeds back in the driving seat of the promotion race, and has also coincided with one key change.

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‘Illan Meslier will never wear Leeds shirt again' - fans explode 16

Karl Darlow dazzles for Leeds v Middlesbrough

It took Farke long enough – almost exactly six months after his headline-grabbing clanger at Sunderland – to drop Illan Meslier in Leeds’ net, but now that he finally has, United are already reaping the benefits.

Darlow may have conceded the early opener in Saturday’s frustrating 1-1 draw at Luton, which saw Leeds drop to third in the table, but he wasn’t to be beaten at the Riverside and picked up clean sheet.

Middlesbrough Statistic Leeds United
0 Goals 1
1.13 xG 1.01
2 / 17 Shots on Target 3 / 5
53% Possession 47%
4 Corners 4
Darlow helped Leeds keep a clean sheet in a difficult encounter against Middlesbrough [Credit: FotMob]

Boro’s shooting may have been wayward, with just two of their 17 shots in total being on target to Leeds’ three in five, but Darlow’s command of his box and chemistry with his defence was a clear improvement.

With Ethan Ampadu dropping back into the backline alongside Joe Rodon following Pascal Struijk’s potentially season-ending injury, Farke may have found the trifecta which can steer Leeds to promotion.

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Darlow has spent most of this season on the Leeds United bench

Leeds fans laud Karl Darlow ‘masterclass’ at Elland Road

The Elland Road faithful were happy to see the back of Meslier after his series of errors this season, with many thinking the promotion race only remains a close call due to the points he has cost Leeds.

With Darlow between the sticks for the last two games, fans have already seen a clear improvement; some saying the 34-year-old is “first class”, and arguing that he’s “safe as houses” compared to Meslier.

That sentiment continued as the praise poured in for Darlow, who was viewed by other supporters as “head and shoulders” above Meslier, whom some said they “never want to see in a Leeds shirt again”.

The post ‘Illan Meslier will never wear Leeds shirt again’ – fans explode appeared first on Football Insider.

​ Football Insider

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