2 - The Frenchman had a strong first half in which he made one particularly good save which bumps his score up but all that hard work was then undone with a moment of madness for his sending off which cost his team big time. It could be argued that Milutin Osmajic made a meal of things with the way he went to ground but if you raise your hands into an opponent's face you are asking for trouble which is exactly what Meslier got. Would have been a 1/10 or a zero but for his first half display.2 - The Frenchman had a strong first half in which he made one particularly good save which bumps his score up but all that hard work was then undone with a moment of madness for his sending off which cost his team big time. It could be argued that Milutin Osmajic made a meal of things with the way he went to ground but if you raise your hands into an opponent's face you are asking for trouble which is exactly what Meslier got. Would have been a 1/10 or a zero but for his first half display.
2 - The Frenchman had a strong first half in which he made one particularly good save which bumps his score up but all that hard work was then undone with a moment of madness for his sending off which cost his team big time. It could be argued that Milutin Osmajic made a meal of things with the way he went to ground but if you raise your hands into an opponent's face you are asking for trouble which is exactly what Meslier got. Would have been a 1/10 or a zero but for his first half display.

Leeds United player ratings v Preston North End with a 2/10 and two 4s but pair of 7s

Lee Sobot
By Lee Sobot
Published 26th Dec 2023, 15:33 BST
Updated 26th Dec 2023, 17:47 BST
Leeds United fell to a 2-1 defeat in Boxing Day’s lunchtime kick-off at Championship hosts Preston North End – but how did we rate the performances?

A disappointing first half ended goalless and the complexion of the game then changed dramatically in the 53rd minute when Whites keeper Illan Meslier was shown a straight red card. Preston went ahead four minutes later as Alan Browne headed home Liam Millar’s cross but the ten men of Leeds rallied and drew level in the 83rd minute through a Pascal Struijk penalty which was awarded after Dan James was fouled. Preston, though, then served up one final sting in the tail by bagging an 89th minute winner through Millar who was a constant menace down the left flank. Leeds United writer Lee Sobot hands out the scores from an afternoon to forget at Deepdale.

5 - Brought on in the hope of making something happen and energetic but unable to offer much, albeit in hard circumstances.

13. Willy Gnonto (sub)

5 - Brought on in the hope of making something happen and energetic but unable to offer much, albeit in hard circumstances. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

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7 - A really admirable effort from the bench with Leeds down to ten men, trying his best to hold the ball up and often succeeding. One towering header to start a Whites counter had the away end roaring their approval.

14. Mateo Joseph (sub)

7 - A really admirable effort from the bench with Leeds down to ten men, trying his best to hold the ball up and often succeeding. One towering header to start a Whites counter had the away end roaring their approval. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo

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6 - Brought on as Farke looked to shuffle things around with the Whites a man and a goal down and not a bad display from the Bulgarian international given the circumstances.

15. Ilia Gruev (sub)

6 - Brought on as Farke looked to shuffle things around with the Whites a man and a goal down and not a bad display from the Bulgarian international given the circumstances. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo

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N/A - Brought on too late to make an impact in one last throw of the dice.

16. Patrick Bamford (sub)

N/A - Brought on too late to make an impact in one last throw of the dice. Photo: George Wood

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6 - Not exactly the best and his failure to award Leeds an advantage as they looked to counter through Rutter who had been fouled particularly irked the away end. Meslier's sending off was also quite clearly soft but the blame really lies with the Whites keeper for giving the official that opportunity by sticking his hands in the face of an opponent.

17. Josh Smith (referee)

6 - Not exactly the best and his failure to award Leeds an advantage as they looked to counter through Rutter who had been fouled particularly irked the away end. Meslier's sending off was also quite clearly soft but the blame really lies with the Whites keeper for giving the official that opportunity by sticking his hands in the face of an opponent. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

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Related topics:Preston North EndIllan MeslierDeepdalePascal Struijk