Daniel Farke says Sunderland equaliser after Illan Meslier error ‘tough to take’

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was “heartbroken” after Illan Meslier’s last-gasp mistake handed Sunderland a 2-2 draw in a pulsating Sky Bet Championship encounter.

A costly mistake from Meslier gifted the Black Cats an equaliser in the dying seconds of stoppage time as Alan Browne’s attempted cross brushed off Junior Firpo’s head and the ball bounced past the goalkeeper as he tried to collect it.

The ball then rolled into the net to hand Sunderland a valuable point, with Farke insisting he has never seen the like in his career.

“I’ve worked for 30 years in professional football, I’ve won and lost many points in the last seconds – lucky and unlucky – but to be honest something like this I’ve not experienced in 30 years of professional football,” Farke said.

“To lose those points in this way is heartbreaking, is horrendous, is so sad and disappointing for our lads.

“I feel for my lads because to this moment they’ve done more or less everything right after such a difficult time.

“To lose two points in the last moment of the game in this way is heart-breaking and tough to take, it feels like a bit like a loss. Before the game I would have said away to Sunderland is a good result.”

In an entertaining clash at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland took the lead through teenager Chris Rigg before Joel Piroe levelled with a header.

The visitors took advantage shortly after the break through Firpo’s low strike, which looked to have sealed victory until Meslier’s late error.

“I’m so proud of how we reacted today, how we played, how we dominated this game in major parts and how rock solid we were in the second half,” added Farke.

“So for that, it feels disappointing but I just have compliments for my lads.

“I think they were excellent. I’m pretty proud of what they have delivered and right now they don’t need me to accuse or to speak about the last moments, they just need an arm around their shoulder because for them it’s also heart-breaking.”

Farke added that no immediate explanation about what happened is necessary from Meslier.

He said: “In this moment you don’t have to talk to Illan, he’s the most saddest player in the dressing room.

“We’ve given him a hug and will leave him alone, he doesn’t have to explain today.”

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris empathised with the goalkeeper, but believes a draw was deserved for his side.

“I’m disappointed for him because I like him,” Le Bris said.

“Everyone on the pitch can make a mistake but I think for the goalkeeper and striker, when you make a big mistake the consequences are very important.

“It happened today and we are happy for the final result because I think it was a tough game against a strong team.

“In the end I think we deserved that draw because even if the goal is lucky, for the whole balance of the game, the way we played and the way we adapted our structure it was a good point for us.”