Luton Town players by both sets of fans at London Stadium on Saturday, after a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United left Rob Edwards’ side on the brink of an immediate return to the EFL Championship.
The clash came as David Moyes’ final home match as West Ham manager after his end-of-season departure was recently confirmed – the Hatters were in no mood to honour the occasion though, with an early Albert Sambi Lokonga effort silencing the home crowd.
A second-half comeback proved to be comfortable for the hosts in the end, with the Hammers still mathematically able to clinch the qualifying spot for the UEFA Europa Conference League if remaining fixtures fall in their favour.
As it happened
It took just six minutes for David Moyes’ final appearance in the technical area at London Stadium to take a turn for the worse, with Luton Town roaring into an early lead that would put them in good stead to secure Premier League survival.
Arriving into the box at just the right moment, Albert Sambi Lokonga was able to nod an Alfie Doughty cross past Alphonse Areola – sparking euphoria amongst the strong away contingent.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Moyes’ half-time team talk dampened those celebrations, and after a rampant showing from the hosts in the second half, Luton Town players were reduced to tears by the final whistle.
James Ward-Prowse restored parity less than ten minutes into the second half, burying his effort past Thomas Kaminski after the goalkeeper had parried Jarrod Bowen’s prior attempt into his path.
Bad would turn to worse soon after, when a poor Luton clearance fell to the feet of Tomas Soucek – allowing the Czech midfielder to ripple the back of the net with a sensational volleyed effort.
Mohammed Kudus should arguably have added the third goal but instead struck the woodwork, but the third goal would come eventually: George Earthy slotted home from the Ghanaian’s cutback with fifteen minutes left to play.
With Nottingham Forest sitting three points ahead of Luton Town in the Premier League, the Hatters’ relegation will be confirmed on the final day unless they can overturn a 12-goal swing in goal difference.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lineups
WHU: Areola; Emerson, Ogbonna, Zouma, Coufal; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen; Antonio
LUT: Kaminski; Osho, Mengi, Burke; Doughty, Barkley, Sambi Lokonga, Onyedinma; Chong, Morris; Adebayo
