Meslier howler surrenders late point to Sunderland
A calamitous goalkeeping error from Leeds United's Illan Meslier handed Sunderland a point in stoppage-time at The Stadium Of Light as a match the visitors should have seen out for the win ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Sunderland had gone ahead through 17-year-old Chris Rigg in the ninth minute after he pounced on a rebound from an excellent Meslier save at the near post to tap in for 1-0.
But the visitors levelled before the break when Wilfried Gnonto sent a pinpoint cross into the area from the right wing, and Joel Piroe nodded into the back of the net, the flag staying down despite a hint of offside.
Gnonto was involved again as Leeds went ahead on 56 minutes despite an encouraging start to the second half from the Black Cats.
Junior Firpo gathered the ball just inside the Sunderland half and went on strong run into the box before playing a one-two with Gnotto and slotting home for what should have been the winner.
But in the seventh minute of stoppage-time, a free-kick from the left touchline was sent deep across the field, and Jobe Bellingham rose to meet it.
His header was helped on by Alan Browne, and while it was slightly deflected on its tame route to goal, Meslier was unable to gather a simple pick-up and the ball rolled past him into the net leaving Sunderland smiling and Leeds completely bemused.
The result was good enough to keep Sunderland top of the table on 19 points. Daniel Farke's Leeds moved up to third, three points off the summit after a second straight draw.
