What Sunderland did to 'deserve' late Leeds United draw

The Black Cats were grateful for a late error from Leeds keeper Illan Meslier

Regis Le Bris pointed to his Sunderland team’s “good mindset” after an incredible goalkeeping howler helped his team to a 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

The Black Cats looked to be facing defeat after Joël Piroe and Junior Firpo had cancelled out Chris Rigg’s ninth-minute strike. But stoppage-time drama at the end of the game saw an Illan Meslier error gift the Lads a point.

Speaking post-match, Le Bris said: “The mindset of the team was good because right until the end we believed that it was possible and then it happened with a mistake. I think we deserved this draw. It was a tough game because Leeds are a strong team.

“We started very well with lots of possession and good creativity to unbalance many things with our triangles down the sides.”

He added: “We had two or three opportunities to score – we scored once. After that goal it was difficult to defend and then after their first goal we decided to change our shape and I think it was better.

“We dominated this part of the game but we knew they were still dangerous on the counter attack, especially with their long balls. We often won the first contact but the second contact was for them.

“They have very quick players so it is a part of our game that we need to improve. If we can improve that part of our game then we can be more dominant. It was one of the main problems in the second half but I like the team spirit and our ability to change our shape during the game - I think in the end we deserved that point.”

The recipient of Meslier’s error was Sunderland’s Alan Browne who was credited with the goal after prodding a ball forward into the box which flew off a defender’s head before Meslier inexplicably let it bounce past him.

Browne described his moment of joy after the ball found the net.

“It was a great finish wasn’t it!” he said. “The keeper has made a bit of a mess of it and I’ll take that all day but it serves the boys right for battling right until the end. We’ll need that commitment right until the end of the season wanting to get the equaliser. If there had been more time, we’d have pushed for a winner but we’ll settle for a decent point.”

Browne admitted to the fortune as far as the goal was concerned but couldn’t hide his emotions after the Lads maintained their unbeaten home record this season.

It was comical watching supporters behind the goal turn away in disgust as his ‘pass’ entered the penalty area assuming Meslier would collect it, only to suddenly be jumping for joy when it went in.

Browne continued: “Hopefully I’ll score a few better than that this year. The scenes were unbelievable, I might not top that. I turned away, didn’t look back and the ball was in the net. I just legged it to the corner flag and was jumping into the fans. It was a great feeling at the end there.”