Eagle-eyed fans spot Illan Meslier’s cheeky celebration at Sheffield United supporters

With two goals scored in the final minutes of the game, Leeds were able to extend their lead at the top of the Championship. They won 3-1 against Sheffield United, who are their title rivals.

Against their closest competitors in the table, Ao Tanaka scored goals in the 89th and 90th minutes, which allowed them to move five points ahead of them at the top of the Championship standings.

The Blades had taken the lead at halftime thanks to an own goal scored by Illan Meslier, the custodian for Leeds. Junior Firpo had scored a goal for the visitors, bringing them even. The late goal specialists were the ones who decided the outcome.

In suspension Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds, watched from the television gantry as Sheffield United began to set up his team from the moment the game began. Meslier’s nervousness made it difficult for Leeds to try to ride out the early storm against Sheffield United.

Since being at fault for all three goals in a 3-3 draw at Hull in January, the Frenchman had been in excellent form. His late mistake at Sunderland in October cost Leeds the victory, but he had been in excellent form since then.

As his side came under early pressure, however, he appeared to be completely confused.

There were already two crosses that Meslier had missed when he flapped at a corner, which allowed Tyrese Campbell to get in a header. Ilia Gruev was able to clear it off the goal line, and another fumble gave the home team the lead in the fourteenth minute.

Meslier deflected Callum O’Hare’s header from Ben Brereton Diaz’s teasing cross onto the crossbar and then down onto the goal line. Campbell then capitalised on the rebound by heading it against a post, but the Leeds custodian was unable to gather the ball and instead parried it into his own net.

Campbell’s cross presented the home team with another opportunity to create a threat, and Junior Firpo was able to get his toe on the ball just a fraction of a second before O’Hare.

While Leeds gradually regained control of the game, they also started to create opportunities of their own. Manor Solomon had two shots that were directed directly at Blades custodian Michael Cooper before the halftime break.

Meslier did a good job of catching Vini Souza’s dangerous through-ball early in the second period. However, Leeds’ appeals for a penalty, which were made after Dan James went down as a result of Jack Robinson’s challenge, were denied by referee David Webb.

However, the Blades did not show any signs of slowing down. Meslier was forced to make a low save in response to Souza’s effort, and Ao Tanaka made a save to prevent Sydie Peck from having a clear shot on goal.

The substitute for Leeds, Mateo Joseph, had a shot that went over the crossbar, but Firpo brought the away team back into the game with a powerful header in the 72nd minute, which was a direct result of James’ pinpoint cross.

Meslier made a good save on the rebounding shot that Harrison Burrows took, and Piroe forced Cooper to make a fine parry as both teams were attempting to capture the game-winning goal.

After that, Cooper made the save of the match by preventing Wilfried Gnonto, a substitute, from taking a curling shot, but Leeds finished with a flourish.

Tanaka scored a goal by heading the ball into the top corner after Firpo’s header from a corner kick taken by substitute Joe Rothwell with two minutes remaining.

While the celebrations in Leeds were taking place, the camera panned to Meslier, who was standing at the opposite end of the pitch. Meslier, who was 24 years old, appeared to rub his hands on each arm, which was reminiscent of Cole Palmer’s well-known ‘cold’ celebration gesture.

“Meslier trying to pull off the Palmer [crying emoji],” said one of the fans.

An additional spectator commented: “Blacked out for a moment there but did Meslier really do the Morgan Rogers/Palmer ‘cold’ celebration?”

On the other hand, this supporter asserted that Messier had performed the Cole Palmer celebration. Because he is so global.”

In the ninetieth minute, Piroe scored Leeds’ third goal by converting a cut-back from James, which ultimately sealed the victory.