Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier makes a brilliant one-handed save to deny Sunderland's Jenson Seelt at the Stadium of Light(Image: Getty Images)

Jenson Seelt on the 'unbelievable' moment against Leeds that denied him his first Sunderland goal

Dutch defender Jenson Seelt brought a stunning save out of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier during the Black Cats' win at the Stadium of Light

by · ChronicleLive

Jenson Seelt says Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier produced an 'unbelievable' save to deny him his first Sunderland goal. Centre-back Seelt thought he had found the net on the half-hour when he met Alex Pritchard's corner from the right with a firm header, only to see Meslier leap to his right and claw the ball away.

Moments before that, Seelt was inches away from applying the finish to a Pritchard free-kick in a goalmouth scramble, and before half-time Jobe Bellingham headed wide from another corner as Sunderland caused the visitors major problems from set-pieces. But it was Meslier's save that left Dutchman Seelt shaking his head in disbelief.

Asked whether he thought he had scored, the former PSV Eindhoven man said: "Oh yeah! It was so close. I was already celebrating but it was an unbelievable save from the goalie. I think we were really a threat from set-pieces, so if we just go on like that we can score more."

Bellingham eventually broke the deadlock with a header 12 minutes from time and that gave the Black Cats all three points. "It was a really good night," said Seelt, who came into the starting line-up as one of three changes to the side that beat West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

"Obviously when you come into the team you are desperate to play good and for the team to do well. It was a good night, a good atmosphere. The fans were good and I'm proud of the team."

Third-placed Leeds arrived on Wearside on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run which included six wins. Seelt said: "I wasn't really [nervous]. I was just normal as always. I prepared well and tried to see videos of their attackers and prepare well.

"I think I did an OK job. You need to be on every moment. Every moment something can happen, [Crysencio] Summerville, [Dan] James are really good players, really quick. I think we as a defence did really well, we speak a lot and it was just a good feeling."

With Dan Ballard and Luke O'Nien established as Sunderland's first choice central defensive pairing, Seelt has had to be patient and had made just two starts prior to Tuesday night's game. But the switch in system to a back three opened up an opportunity, and he seized it.

He said: "I'm just trying to do my best everytime I get the chance. I'm really glad I could show what I could do in my favourite position, centre-back. I just need to go on like this, train good. I'm feeling really, really welcome at the football club and it's really good.

"I think the coach [Mike Dodds] is really speaking with me about positions I can play. For myself centre-back is obviously my favourite position, I've played there my whole life. I think my qualities I can show there the most. But, if the coach needs me in right-back, midfield, I can play there."

Seelt came off 20 minutes from time suffering from cramp but it is not a major issue and he is expected to be fit for this weekend's trip to Bristol City. He said: "It's nothing. It was just a little bit of tension, a bit of cramp. It won't be a big problem."

It was Dodds' second win in as many games since taking the reins in the wake of Tony Mowbray's sacking at the beginning of last week, and Seelt says the players are right behind the interim head coach. Seelt said: "I think Doddsy blends everything into the details.

"We know exactly what we need to do, what we can expect, so I think he's doing really well and it's good for us."

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