Leeds United concede twice late on in a 3-3 draw at Hull City; and post-match Daniel Farke refuses to scapegoat Illan Meslier.
Joao Pedro and Abu Kamara netted as Ruben Selles’ Tigers battle back from 3-1 down to earn a point, as Leeds stay top of the Championship with 53 points from 26 games, and Hull are on 23 points from 26 games.
Both of Hull’s goalscorers were were served the ball up by the Leeds keeper errors, stopping the Whites from restoring their three-point lead at the top after Burnley had won 1-0 at Blackburn earlier in the day.
Need a new Goalkeeper in January. Urgently. #LUFC
— Zovic (@LufcZovic) January 4, 2025
“Disappointed is probably the right word,” said Farke, when asked how he felt, per Yorkshire Post.
“(In the) first half we were not sharp enough, it’s an example that if we allow ourselves to be two per cent less on it, then it’s difficult in this league to win points. In both boxes it was the case.
“We had so many good situations but didn’t finish them off in the first half. We needed to be a bit sharper in the opponents’ box but our finishing was not spot on and I don’t think we have conceded a cheaper goal during the whole season than the situation when we conceded (Kamara’s opening goal).
“We invited them to counter-attack and they could have scored (again).
“Second half I have to say great reaction and we executed exactly what we spoke about at half-time in the perfect manner, we were in total control and scored three goals (through Ao Tanaka, Daniel James and Joel Piroe).
“We had chances to score a fourth, fifth and sixth goal, especially Daniel James one against one
“Then it’s difficult to accept how we conceded two late goals without them having really a chance if I’m really honest. Somehow they were able to score out of situations where you normally never can score.”
“I would be a poor leader if straight away after a game I would punish individual mistakes by my players in a press conference, I’m not willing to do this,” said Farke.
“But everyone has watched the game and the players who were involved can’t hide behind the fact they should have done better in this situation.
“It’s a sign of what we are. We are not the finished product who cruises easily, I have to say.
“It was a wide free-kick – how the ball went in – and the third goal we more or less cleared the corner kick and in the second phase a strike from 25 yards goes in the middle of the goal. It’s tough to explain, or at least tough to accept.
“But this is what we are and what I am speaking about the whole season.”
Hull’s Ruben Selles: “It feels like a perfect final point for what has happened in the last couple of days.
“He has quality, and you cannot doubt that. He’s an honest person and he’s been giving absolutely everything.
“Because of his body language at times, sometimes people think he’s not interested, but that’s not the reality.
“You can only be happy for him and happy for the team – and also happy because that’s the way we want to do things.
“It’s important for him and it’s important for the dressing-room and the club.”
Incredible effort from the lads and you guys in the stands! 👏#hcafc pic.twitter.com/MXqmmpbqfD
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 4, 2025
Who else? 🫲😅🫱 #hcafc pic.twitter.com/6CLxUDpN8a
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 4, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted as Leeds concede twice late on in a 3-3 draw at Hull; Daniel Farke refuses to scapegoat Meslier…
@TheVoiceofjust: Messlier has to be dropped. Darlow might be a better option and January go buy a goalkeeper.
@ZakkPricee: Goal keeper has to go! Cost us more points than he’s saved us, offer a straight swap for stoke goalkeeper
@c_ellis92: Another game where we’ve dropped an extra 2 points with the same player to blame. Pompey, Sunderland, Preston and now Hull. There’s always scrutiny with a GK as it only takes one mistake, but this isn’t just the one now. Big Sam was right wasn’t he? 🙃 #lufc
@njglufc: If you stick with him then he’s going to cost you 100s of millions, absolute farce now, a serious business should be going beyond the manager here and telling him you’re replacing the keeper, it can’t continue
@LewArmitstead: Everyone but apparently the club can see Meslier isn’t fit for purpose. Please do the right thing and sign a new gk. Fancy saves don’t mean anything if you can’t do the basics.
@wood3528: Meslier has to pull his socks up, costing us more points than he is saving us. Money needs spending in this window, don’t care how hard you say that is, work harder!
@tommymcneice: Can Illan be investigated for match fixing? Genuinely, that’s a serious question. I challenge the happy clappers to defend that performance. All three goals. Should have been a comfortable win. 4 points dropped in the last two games, solely down to him. Needs a break.
@DannyWright82: Best outfield 10 in the league with the worst keeper in the league.
@Stanny1987: embarrassing!!! Mesliers last game for us, he will cost us promotion 100%. Wasn’t great subs needed changing earlier, I know he scored but Dan James was awful today could barely kick it. End of the day that’s 100% on our keeper if he can’t do the simple stuff then no hope
@Ghanabeleeds: Meslier doing his best to throw games or what?
@RLeaky_: Inexcusable from Meslier that, it’s gone on too long now he really does need to go. He’s cost us far too many points this season now it’s becoming more and more of a joke
@DanLUFC_: Terminate Mesliers contract, he’s the reason we aren’t far and away clear at the top. He’s the worst player in the league and a hinderance on the whole squad.
@TonywalkerTony: Yes, but the idea is not to share the points once you go two goals up with ten minutes left !!!
@JamesPearson25: Completely thrown two points away out of nothing
@ChrisJTKeenan: This has to be on Farke. Substitutes are not being made at the right time to close off games. Direction needs to be put to the squad at certain times. The opposition was 22nd in the league!!
@talkaboutlufcv2: Show their 2nd goal Wilson 👍🏻
@bullyybeef: January is for fixing big issues with the squad. Meslier is the big issue. We’d be 7/8 points clear at the top by now if it wasn’t for his antics. Sign a keeper.
@martin1715: No. Points dropped. A complete shambles. Keeper with another schoolboy error and Manager making one change in 90 minutes. Disgraceful stuff.
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