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Exclusive: Nigel Martyn points out Illan Meslier error after display in Leeds defeat to Palace
Nigel Martyn has told The Boot Room that he believes Illan Meslier was out of position on Saturday as Helder Costa scored an own goal during Leeds United’s 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Meslier, 20, has been one of the first names on the Leeds team sheet this season, starting every single Premier League game. In those outings, he has conceded 17 goals – though eight of those have come in Leeds’ last two games.
Goals from Jordan Ayew, Eberechi Eze and Scott Dann – as well as an own goal from Costa – saw Palace ease past Leeds at Selhurst Park. Costa deflected a cross into his own net, with the ball spinning in from a tight angle.
Asked whether Meslier was at fault for Costa’s goal, in which the Frenchman goes down slowly and allows the ball to go underneath him, Martyn stated that it was Meslier’s positioning in the goalline, which was to blame.
“I’m a fully paid-up member of the goalkeeper’s union,” Martyn told The Boot Room. “I think he is unlucky as the deflection is freakish. It’s the last thing he expected, which explains why he is slow going down – which he was.
“He should have been closer to the near post. A striker always makes a run towards the front post, but that’s your first threat. He was probably three or four yards towards the centre of the goal from the near post.
“When I would have rather him two yards away. If that was the case, he would have made a comfortable save. He is trying to read one and cut it off. Positionally, he was too far back in his goal. It’s a learning curve for him.”
TBR’s view – Meslier arguably one of Leeds’ best players this term
Patrick Bamford has gained plenty of plaudits for his seven Premier League goals so far, while Robin Koch has helped Leeds fans forget about Ben White. Mateusz Klich, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas have all impressed.
But Meslier deserves just as much praise. He produced an array of stunning saves to keep a clean sheet against Sheffield United, and then stopped the likes of Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish against Aston Villa.
Yes, he has conceded eight in his last two games but Meslier is not to blame for the majority of those. At 20 years of age, Leeds have signed a real bargain in Meslier at just £5million .
Martyn has also told that the decision to disallow Patrick Bamford’s goal was “ridiculous”.