dataDp/3575.jpeg

Futbol

Stick Or Twist? How Do Leeds Solve Meslier Muddle?

The boos rang out around Elland Road at full-time on Saturday as Swansea celebrated their late point at Leeds United. Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier cut a disconsolate figure as he sought to collect his thoughts after another rollercoaster 90 minutes. The much-criticised Frenchman had saved Josh Tymon's penalty in the first half to preserve Leeds' 1-0 advantage at the break but few in the ground were thinking of that come full-time. Instead it was how costly his latest error, dropping a corner under no pressure to allow Harry Darling to make it 1-1, could prove to be for their Premier League promotion hopes and whether the time has come for boss Daniel Farke to make a change in goal for the final seven league matches. Here is a look at the 25-year-old's season to date, what those close to the team think and who could take his place. Meslier initially joined Leeds on loan from Lorient in his home country in 2019, aged 19. Since getting his chance in February the following year he has spent the past five years as their first-choice goalkeeper. He was a big part of Marcelo Bielsa's side who finished a highly creditable ninth in the Premier League in 2020-21 after making a permanent move to West Yorkshire after helping them to promotion in July 2020. Of Bielsa's successors only Sam Allardyce did not pick him during his brief and unsuccessful spell, as Leeds were relegated back to the Championship. Saturday's game against the Swans marked his 200th league appearance for the club. However, despite the penalty save, it proved to be a day to forget rather than celebrate in a season where high-profile mistakes have haunted him. First, he inexplicably misread the bounce of the ball to let in a last-minute equaliser at Sunderland in October and then in January he was at fault as Hull City came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3. That led many fans to suggest it was time for a change but, with the team well-placed, boss Farke stood by his man, saying it would be "crazy" to change his keeper. Meslier responded to that backing by keeping six successive clean sheets and, although he conceded an unfortunate own goal in the 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United in February, it looked like his mistakes would just be a footnote to a successful season. Leeds were five points clear at the top at the start of March, and seven ahead of Burnley in third. Every Championship side that has been in that position after 34 games has gone on to win automatic promotion. However, one win from five games last month has allowed the Blades to go top and Meslier's latest faux pas has seen what patience remained seemingly run out. The team at BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds United podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet were unanimous that it is time for Meslier to come out of the starting XI. Kaiser Chiefs bassist and Leeds season ticket holder Simon Rix: "It's just disappointing because, on this podcast at least, I think we all kind of want him to do well and backed him even when he's had bad moments and we feel like he's been a decent goalkeeper. "You could make a highlights reel that looks amazing from Saturday's game because there's the penalty save and the save just before their first goal is a great save because he's unsighted. "He looked to be having a great game and then the next thing he does is drop it on a Swansea player's foot. It's just bizarre. I can only think it is concentration. "I think he's just got no credit in the bank now. He doesn't have the crowd on his side." BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds reporter Adam Pope: "I think it's inexplicable. He was under no pressure. You can't defend it anymore. "Maybe Farke sits down with (captain) Ethan Ampadu and asks him if the lads still trust Illan or if they want a change? The way it's going this could ruin Leeds' chances of automatic promotion." Former Leeds player Aidy White on BBC Radio Leeds: "It's one too many now. You can be forgiven for maybe one or two but the amount of games it has happened now… a huge decision has got to be made with seven games left. "I think you've got to drop him now. Farke came out and supported him last time but how long can you keep trusting him for?" Unfortunately for Meslier and his supporters the statistics do not make for brilliant reading in his defence. According to Opta, of the 27 goalkeepers to have played at least 10 games in the Championship this season he ranks 19th for goals prevented. Excluding own goals, he has conceded 24 goals from 23.9 expected goals on target. In comparison, Burnley keeper James Trafford has conceded a measly 11 goals from an expected goals on target of 22.6, while Sheffield United shot-stopper Michael Cooper has allowed 26 goals from 33.5. Meslier also comes out badly in terms of errors leading to goals. Only Sheffield Wednesday's James Beadle, with four, has more than Meslier and Swansea counterpart Lawrence Vigouroux, who both have three. The Owls dropped Beadle for Saturday's trip to Cardiff City. Fan writer Adonis Storr Illan Meslier has flattered to deceive during his time in Yorkshire. But despite threatening a redemption story by keeping out a penalty against Swansea and making a couple of vital saves, he was back to being the pantomime villain by the end. Unfortunately the Frenchman's undeniable potential is surpassed by his tendency to err. Spilling a simple catch from a corner and failing to save a speculative shot from a narrow angle, the Leeds goalkeeper fluffed his lines again when it mattered most. Meslier is not solely responsible for Leeds' remarkable loss of form. The whole team seems to be lacking energy. But the goalkeeper's performances are affecting his team-mates. None more so than a clearly frustrated Joe Rodon. In October I asked "can Leeds afford to keep waiting for him to improve?" In January I wrote "it feels like it is time to try someone else". Daniel Farke has seven, maybe 10, games left to get Leeds promoted, but Meslier's mistakes have left him in an impossible position. If Leeds are to make a change between the sticks then it is likely to be veteran Karl Darlow who is given the gloves. The 34-year-old has made just two league appearances since joining from Newcastle in the summer of 2023, once as a sub after Meslier was sent off at Preston on 26 December that year and then in the 1-0 reverse at West Brom three days later when the number one was suspended. Unlike most number twos, Darlow has seen some action this season as he is first choice for Wales, where he plays alongside club team-mates Rodon, Ampadu and Dan James, so he would not be coming in cold if he were to be given a chance at relegation-threatened Luton on Saturday. He also has experience of winning promotion from this division, having made 34 appearances as the Magpies won the Championship title in 2016-17. Farke refused to blame Meslier for Saturday's result and you feel that whatever decision he makes now, all eyes will be on whoever is between the posts for Leeds at Kenilworth Road this weekend.

dataDp/3575.jpeg

Futbol

Juric Wants Southampton To Avoid 'worst Team' Tag

Southampton manager Ivan Juric has challenged his players to prove they are not "the worst team in the history of the Premier League". The Saints are bottom of the table, 17 points from safety and facing relegation, having won only nine points from 29 matches. Derby County hold the record for the lowest tally in Premier League history, finishing bottom on 11 points in 2007-08. "The team has to be competing and try to do our best. We have to be really motivated," said Juric, whose Southampton side host FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace on Wednesday. "I don't want it to be that we are the worst team in the history of Premier League. "If we can be not the last on the table, we have to do our best, so in this moment, this is our goal. I think we are in good shape, we can do it and we will try to win the match." Southampton have lost their past five Premier League games and face one of the in-form teams in the Premier League, with Oliver Glasner's Palace winning four of their past five. Their 3-0 cup win over Fulham on Saturday was the Eagles' fifth victory in a row in all competitions. Juric added that Saints midfielder Will Smallbone will miss out against Palace because of a groin problem. Defenders Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are set to be involved, however, despite sustaining knocks while on international duty.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Police Rescue Two Abducted Women In Edo

The Edo State Police Command on Saturday rescued two women who were kidnapped on April 14 at Oluoke Community, Iyamho, in Edo North. A statement by the spokesman of the command, Moses Yamu, named the two women as Esther Friday and Joy Iregbeyen. The statement noted that while the police were on the rescue mission, the kidnappers shot one of the women in the foot out of frustration. It, however, noted that the shot lady is responding to treatment. The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command rescued another two kidnapped victims on April 18, 2025, at about 21:15hrs demonstrating its commitment to tackle criminality in the State. “This is further to a case which was reported on April 14, 2025, at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Iyamho, where a woman and her sister were kidnapped. “In a swift response, the DPO, Anti Kidnapping team stationed at Edo North, and Operation Rescue in the company of vigilantes/hunters mobilised and went after the kidnappers to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers. “The resilience and determination of the operatives led to the rescue of the two women, Esther Friday (32 years) and Joy Iregbeyen (23 years) whom the kidnappers abandoned and ran away because of the mounting pressure by the security teams. “Unfortunately, the kidnappers shot one of the women in the foot out of frustration, but she is currently responding to treatment.” The statement further held that the husband of one of the women was shot dead on the day of the kidnapping. “There was a shooting where the woman’s husband was fatally injured. “The injured man was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty,” the statement further read. The statement further conveyed the assurance of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to curb further crime in the state.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Police Arrest Landlady As New Tenants Abscond With Four Children

There is tension in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State as four children were reportedly abducted on Sunday allegedly by child traffickers. PUNCH Metro gathered that two of the children, identified as Ebube and Miracle, are of the same parents. The incident, it was gathered, occurred at the Umuokwe quarters of the community, with residents pointing accusing fingers at three women who had secured an emergency accommodation in the neighborhood. Community sources alleged that the women lured the children from their homes on the pretence of buying biscuits for them from a shop in the area. “It was when the children could not be seen around the compound that neighbours expressed concern. “By the time the neighbours visited the ladies’ apartment, the room was empty as neither the occupants nor the children could be found,” sources stated. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, SP Bright Edafe on Sunday confirmed the incident, adding that landlady of the compound has been arrested and in detention. He said, “The children were abducted three days after the women rented the apartment. “It is true; the problem is that there is no link. They just came and said they wanted to rent an apartment and the landlady gave it to them with no details, no name, no phone number, no agreement and after three days they carried four children. “The landlady has been arrested because her actions are suspicious.”