Fulham 2-1 Leeds: Illan Meslier has a day to forget after TWO costly errors hand Cottagers all three points... with the state of emergency over relegation growing in Yorkshire
- After a frustrating first half, Wilson broke the deadlock after Meslier's mistake
- Pereira doubled the home's sides lead after a classy cross from Willian
- Bamford pulled one back for Leeds but were unable to overturn Cottagers
Travelling Leeds fans chanted 'Sack the Board' after two more blunders by goalkeeper Illan Meslier left the club in deep relegation trouble.
Meslier, selected by manager Javier Gracia despite conceding 11 goals in his previous two home games, performed well for an hour before he needlessly palmed a Willian cross into the path of Harry Wilson for the breakthrough goal.
For an encore, the young Frenchman then made the same mistake for a copycat second. This time Antonee Robinson’s centre was diverted by a diving Meslier straight to Andreas Pereira who let the ball hit him and roll over the line.
The double setback was greeted badly by Leeds supporters who sang the name of former manager Marcelo Bielsa and called for Director of Football Victor Orta to 'get out of our club'.
For Fulham it was another happy afternoon watched on by owner Shahid Khan as they close in on a record Premier League points total which currently stands at 53, though Leeds made it a nervy finish when Patrick Bamford pulled back a late consolation.
![Illan Meslier had a day to forget, and has now conceded 13 in his last two matches for Leeds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121119-12001863-image-a-90_1682170688625.jpg)
Illan Meslier had a day to forget, and has now conceded 13 in his last two matches for Leeds
![Fulham claimed all three points, putting them in striking distance of their record Premier League points total with six games left to play](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121163-12001863-image-a-91_1682170794892.jpg)
Fulham claimed all three points, putting them in striking distance of their record Premier League points total with six games left to play
![Leeds failed to strengthen their position in relegation scrap, two points clear of the drop zone](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121121-12001863-image-a-92_1682170807477.jpg)
Leeds failed to strengthen their position in relegation scrap, two points clear of the drop zone
Gracia responded to the 6-1 mauling against Liverpool by recalling skipper Liam Cooper for his first start since February though Italian international Wilfried Gnonto was again surprisingly on the bench,
Fulham used Bobby De Cordova-Reid as a false nine with Aleksandr Mitrovic continuing to serve and eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh.
Leeds were in feisty mood and glad that referee Peter Bankes was in lenient mood, letting off Max Wober and Marc Roca for late tackles before finally brandishing a yellow when Fulham’s Joao Palhinha chopped down Crysencio Summervile.
Fulham ‘keeper Bernd Leno palmed away Roca’s curler heading towards the top corner while Meslier received a confidence boost with a hat-trick of saves to deny Pereira, including a fist off the line when the Brazilian’s corner threatened to curl straight in.
![Harry Wilson broke the deadlock after receiving a literal helping hand from Meslier](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121175-12001863-image-a-94_1682170834206.jpg)
Harry Wilson broke the deadlock after receiving a literal helping hand from Meslier
![Andreas Pereira's second doubled Fulham's lead as the side grew in class and confidence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121159-12001863-image-a-95_1682170838886.jpg)
Andreas Pereira's second doubled Fulham's lead as the side grew in class and confidence
![Fulham's second goal exposed woeful holes in Leeds' shaky backline in the second half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121141-12001863-image-a-96_1682170857346.jpg)
Fulham's second goal exposed woeful holes in Leeds' shaky backline in the second half
![But Bernd Leno was tested at the other end as Leeds sought their way into the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121169-12001863-image-a-93_1682170817450.jpg)
But Bernd Leno was tested at the other end as Leeds sought their way into the game
But it all started to go horribly wrong for him after 58 minutes. Willian’s cross from the left flank would have been harmless if left alone because Fulham didn’t have anyone at the far post.
But a jittery Mesliers stretched to divert the ball into the path of Harry Wilson who adjusted his body position and hooked in from eight yards.
That was the second consecutive game in which the Wales international has scored and Fulham doubled their advantage after 72 minutes having already struck the crossbar through Pereria’s free-kick.
Robinson was allowed to cross from the same position Willian had done and Meslier dived to put the ball on a plate for Pereira.
By that stage Bamford had been brought on from the bench and his poacher’s instinct helped the visitors reduce arrears after 79 minutes though the final touch came of Palhinha.
![In a cluttered box, Patrick Bamford at first thought his shot owed less to Joao Palhinha](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121139-12001863-image-a-97_1682170873025.jpg)
In a cluttered box, Patrick Bamford at first thought his shot owed less to Joao Palhinha
![The striker attempted to pump up the crowd and players, but Leeds failed to find another goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121155-12001863-image-a-98_1682170879614.jpg)
The striker attempted to pump up the crowd and players, but Leeds failed to find another goal
![Meslier did make some fine saves as Fulham put Leeds under the cosh for chunks of the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70121151-12001863-image-a-99_1682170884950.jpg)
Meslier did make some fine saves as Fulham put Leeds under the cosh for chunks of the game
![Fulham look sure to go level or better Roy Hodgson's 2008/09 points total of 53 this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/22/14/70120731-12001863-image-a-100_1682170889859.jpg)
Fulham look sure to go level or better Roy Hodgson's 2008/09 points total of 53 this season
Crysencio Summerville’s initial dig in the area was blocked and Bamford reacted first to poke the rebound in off the unfortunate Fulham midfielder.
Gnonto was immediately summoned by Gracia though Leeds fans had wanted the winger on a lot earlier.
Fulham thought they’d scored a third when Willian’s free-kick was brilliantly tipped onto the woodwork by Meslier. But with still only one goal in it, the signal for eight minutes of injury-time increased the urgency in Leeds ranks – aware they hover just aware they hover just above the relegation zone
The final whistle confirmed Fulham’s third win this season against the same opposition and there was a standing ovation for late substitute Neeskens Kebano as he returned for his first action since October with an Achilles injury.
Most watched Sport videos
- Fans react to Ellie Aldridge winning gold in kitesurfing at Olympic
- Arteta happy with the chemistry building in his team
- Letslie Tebogo delivers savage remark after winning gold
- Noah Lyles' Olympic rival speaks out after the 200m final
- Adorable footage of a tiny Simone Biles at junior competition
- IShowSpeed is challenged to a race by Polish Olympic sprinting star
- Olympics commentator corrected after misgendering USA shot put star
- Awkward moment Anthony Ammirati gets his crotch stuck on crossbar
- Rebeca Andrade reacts to Simone Biles' bow to her after winning gold
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Day 12 highlights
- Lamecha Girma seen in hospital after nasty steeplechase fall
- Fitness experts distinguishes between NRL and Olympic athletes