Illan Meslier produced a standout performance for Leeds United in their 2-0 victory over Coventry City, earning praise from former Whites star Stuart Dallas. While Daniel Farke’s side secured the three points with first-half goals from Joel Piroe and Jayden Bogle, it was Meslier’s heroics between the sticks that helped maintain the clean sheet and prevent any potential comeback from Frank Lampard’s team.
The French goalkeeper has faced significant criticism this season after costly errors against Sunderland and Hull City, which effectively cost Leeds four points in their promotion chase. Those mistakes led to questions about his reliability, with some fans and pundits calling for him to be dropped. However, Meslier responded in the best way possible at Coventry, delivering a composed and assured display, which included two stunning saves that caught the attention of Dallas, who was providing analysis for LUTV.
Dallas, a fan favorite during his time at Leeds, spoke about the pressure Meslier has been under and how impressive it was to see him deliver such a strong response. “He was suffering after them mistakes, that’s for sure, and you come in for a lot of criticism,” Dallas said on LUTV (5 February, 9:52 pm). “To pull off two saves there regardless is incredible.”
Meslier didn’t have a particularly busy night, as Coventry only managed four shots on target, but when he was called into action, he delivered. His most impressive stop came in the 58th minute when Ellis Simms rose to meet a cross with a powerful header that seemed destined for the net, only for Meslier to produce a top-drawer save to deny him. It was the kind of reflex stop that has made him such a valuable asset to Leeds over the years, despite his recent inconsistencies.
The response from the Leeds fanbase was also overwhelmingly positive. While Meslier has been under scrutiny, there has never been any doubt about his talent, and the supporters have shown their appreciation when he performs well. BBC journalist Adam Pope, who had been critical of Leeds’ wastefulness in front of goal, was among those to acknowledge Meslier’s contribution, tipping his hat to the former Lorient stopper on social media after the game.
For Meslier, this performance could be an important turning point in his season. Goalkeepers often face immense pressure when they make mistakes, as errors in their position are far more costly than those in other areas of the pitch. However, the best goalkeepers are those who can respond to setbacks with strong performances, and Meslier showed against Coventry that he has the mentality to bounce back.
With Leeds pushing for automatic promotion, consistency will be key in the coming months. If Meslier can build on this display and regain his confidence, he could play a vital role in helping Leeds secure a return to the Premier League. His shot-stopping ability has never been in doubt, and if he can continue making decisive saves in crucial moments, he will silence his critics and reaffirm his place as one of the Championship’s top goalkeepers.