Elijah Adebayo kept Luton in the hunt to avoid relegation from the Premier League as his equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Everton on Friday.
Rob Edwards’ side trailed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty but Adebayo scored the crucial leveller before half-time at Kenilworth Road.
Despite earning just one win in their past 15 league games, third-bottom Luton are still in contention to beat the drop.
They are behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest on goal difference, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team facing already-relegated Sheffield United on Saturday.
A Forest win at Bramall Lane would move them three points ahead of Luton, who have two games left against West Ham and Fulham to avoid an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s fairytale promotion.
“We are still in this fight as we speak. I’m proud of the performance but it would have been huge to win tonight. Almost but we’ve had a lot of them this year,” Edwards said.
Luton’s survival bid is further complicated by the wait for a verdict on Forest’s appeal against their four-point deduction for financial breaches, with a Premier League announcement expected before the end of the season.
“There’s a long way to go and it’s over to them (Forest) tomorrow. There’s a situation that’s going on that’s out of our control that isn’t ideal,” Edwards said in reference to Forest’s appeal.
“I don’t really understand it. Everyone would just like to know where they stand. I think we’d all like that.”
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Luton Town’s English striker Elijah Adebayo. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFPSource: AFP
Despite losing eight points as punishment for financial breaches of their own, Everton had already secured their Premier League status with three games to spare.
Winners of their previous three matches, Sean Dyche’s side had nothing to play for on their first visit to Kenilworth Road for 17 years but they did enough to frustrate the superstitious Edwards.
Edwards revealed this week that he drives the same route to the stadium, uses the same toothpaste and walks his dog at a certain time of day if Luton are on a winning streak.
Beaten in their last three matches, Edwards needed a change of fortune so he said he would switch his underwear for the Everton clash.
Unfortunately for Edwards, Luton’s luck was out initially as Tahith Chong appealed in vain for an early penalty after stumbling when Everton ‘keeper Jordan Pickford rushed out to challenge the Luton forward.
Teden Mengi gifted Everton a 23rd-minute penalty when he needlessly wrestled Jarrad Branthwaite to the ground as the pair jostled at a corner.
Calvert-Lewin stepped up to drill the spot-kick down the middle for his fourth goal in his last five games.
But Luton had no intention of surrendering and they were level seven minutes later.
Targeting Everton’s Ashley Young time and again, Luton’s persistence paid off as Adebayo controlled Albert Sambi Lokonga’s high pass on his chest, muscled his way past the veteran defender and slammed a fine finish past Pickford from 10 yards.
In his first start since February after a hamstring injury, Adebayo had taken his goal tally for the season to 10.
Luton striker Carlton Morris had a towering header cleared off the line by Ben Godfrey just before half-time.
Jack Harrison almost put Everton in front against the run of play with a deflected effort that was clawed away from under the bar by Thomas Kaminski.
Calvert-Lewin’s powerful header forced a brilliant tip over from Kaminski, while Pickford made a fine stop from Luke Berry’s header in stoppage-time.
English Premier League table
* played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points
Phil Foden shone in the absence of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne as the England international’s hat-trick handed Manchester City a thumping 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
The champions responded emphatically to questions over their ability to win the biggest games to move to within one point of leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
City had not beaten a side in the Premier League’s top five in six attempts this season prior to the visit of fourth-placed Villa to the Etihad.
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Phil Foden celebrates after scoring. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
But Pep Guardiola showed faith in the depth of his squad by leaving Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench for the full 90 minutes ahead of a hectic schedule in their defence of three competitions.
Guardiola has hailed Foden as the best player in the English top-flight this season and the 23-year-old backed up his manager’s words by taking his goal tally for the season to 21.
City were beaten 1-0 by Villa when the sides met in December, but that was their last defeat as Guardiola’s men are now unbeaten in 24 games.
Jeremy Doku was one of those to return to the City side among four changes and the Belgian rewarded his manager with his brightest display in a City shirt for months.
Doku was the creator for the opener as he skipped past Lucas Digne and his cross was swept high past Villa’s stand-in goalkeeper Robin Olsen by Rodri.
Villa’s normal number one Emiliano Martinez was just one of a host of key absences for the visitors.
Top scorer Ollie Watkins was sidelined by injury, while captain John McGinn was suspended.
Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey were also left on the bench by Unai Emery as the Spaniard appeared to prioritise his side’s upcoming games as more realistic bets to get the points they need to secure Champions League football.
Douglas Luiz reacts following a missed chance. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
However, Jhon Duran showed he is an able deputy to Watkins as the Colombian swept home a fine equaliser after exchanging a one-two with Morgan Rogers.
By contrast, Julian Alvarez failed to take his chance to shine in his preferred position with Haaland rested.
The Argentine World Cup winner was denied by Olsen from a narrow angle and then saw a header tipped over by the Swedish goalkeeper.
However, City did restore their lead before half-time to calm the rising tension among the Etihad crowd thanks to Foden’s first.
His free-kick sneaked through a hole in the Villa wall caused by Nicolo Zaniolo jumping out of position to leave Olsen unsighted.
City’s number two ‘keeper Stefan Ortega is enjoying a rare run in the side due to Ederson’s thigh injury.
And the German was needed to make a vital save after the break to deny Villa levelling for a second time through Douglas Luiz.
Manchester City made a statement. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Foden made the points safe when he swept in Rodri’s pass off the inside of the post.
And he completed his hat-trick in style by blasting into the top corner from outside the box.
Liverpool can retake top spot when they host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Thursday.
But City will be quietly confident of becoming the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight titles with the worst of their run-in now cleared.
Guardiola’s men have just one more match against a top-six opponent, away to Tottenham, in their final eight games of the season.
Defeat leaves Villa still just two points above Spurs in the race for a top-four finish, having played a game more.
ARSENAL GO TOP WITH WIN OVER LUTON
Elsewhere, Arsenal coasted to a 2-0 win over struggling Luton to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the Premier League table, once again edging ahead in a thrilling three-way title tussle.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring midway through the first half and an own goal just before the break gave the much-changed home side a cushion.
The result lifts Arsenal to 68 points — one ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who host bottom side Sheffield United on Friday.
“We want to be at the top — winning our games is the only thing we can do,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC.
“We managed to rotate and freshen the team up a bit,” he added.
“Those who came in did really, really well.”
Arsenal went top with the win. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Arteta’s men, with top-scorer Bukayo Saka absent, dominated possession in the opening stages at the Emirates but created few clear-cut openings in front of an expectant crowd.
But they broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, courtesy of a sweet left-footed strike by Odegaard.
Emile Smith Rowe, who has been a peripheral figure this season, dispossessed the dawdling Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu inside the visitors’ half.
He fed Odegaard, who played a one-two with Kai Havertz before stroking the ball home for his 10th goal of the season.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 44th minute thanks to an own goal from Luton defender Daiki Hashioka, who turned into his own net following more good work down the left by Smith Rowe.
The home side, playing in second gear, had just three shots on target in the first half but were well worth their lead.
The bulk of the second half was flat, although Luton came into the game more, probing for an opening to haul themselves back into the contest.
Arteta brought on midfielder Declan Rice and forward Eddie Nketiah, introducing Gabriel Martinelli with 15 minutes to play.
Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring Arsenal’s first goal. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Arsenal substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu went close, bending one just wide, and Nketiah forced a save from the scrambling Thomas Kaminski in the closing minutes.
They were unable to score a third but saw the game out with few alarms. The Gunners, who have not been crowned English champions since 2004, set the pace for the bulk of last season before flagging as the finishing line approached.
But, adding steel to their style, they have now won nine of their past 10 league games, with the only blip in that sequence a goalless draw against City on Sunday.
Arsenal, who have conceded just four goals in the league in 2024, travel to Brighton on Sunday before hosting Villa on April 14.
In between those matches they welcome Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Defeat for depleted Luton leaves Rob Edwards’ side third from bottom of the English top flight, three points from safety, and facing an immediate return to the Championship.
Brentford drew 0-0 with Brighton to edge further clear of the drop zone.
Son Heung-min’s late winner fired Tottenham to a 2-1 win over Luton but Aston Villa beat Wolves 2-0 to retake fourth place in the Premier League from Spurs on Saturday.
Meanwhile Manchester Untied were caught in staggering stoppage time drama after they thought they had done enough to beat Brentford when Mason Mount scored in the 96th minute, only for the hosts to hit back and claim a well-deserved point.
Chelsea remain in the bottom half of the table after they twice blew a lead at home to 10-man Burnley in a 2-2 draw.
An action-packed afternoon also saw Newcastle come from 3-1 down to stun West Ham 4-3 and Fulham hit back for a 3-3 draw at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.
Son even had time to make friends with a young pitch invader.Source: AFP
Spurs have now come from behind to win in four of their last five home games and needed another second-half turnaround to keep their challenge for a return to the Champions League next season on track.
Tahith Chong’s strike after just three minutes gave Luton a shock lead, but the Hatters ended the day in the relegation zone as their winless run extended to 10 games.
An Ange Postecoglou halftime substitution again made an impact for Tottenham as Brennan Johnson’s cross was turned into his own net by Issa Kabore just six minutes after the Welsh international’s introduction.
Son had missed a number of chances earlier in the game but finally got some fortune when his deflected effort trickled past Thomas Kaminski for his 15th goal of the season.
“Until the end I was getting frustrated but I wanted to stay calm as captain,” said Son.
“We don’t want it to always end like this, it could be nicer when we have it (won) earlier.”
Tottenham’s victory briefly took them into fourth, but Villa responded as goals from Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa gave them the bragging rights from a Midlands derby.
Manchester United are now 12 points adrift of the top four ahead of their trip to Brentford later on Saturday.
Son celebrated emotionally after finally getting on the scoresheet.Source: Getty Images
UNITED STUNNED IN FINAL SECONDS
Mason Mount’s first Manchester United goal was not enough to snatch victory at Brentford as Kristoffer Ajer’s 99th minute equaliser earned the Bees a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
A point was the least Brentford deserved after dominating throughout and hitting the woodwork on four occasions.
However, it looked like Thomas Frank’s men were to be hit by a sucker punch when Mount struck to ease the pain of his injury-plagued first season with the Red Devils.
But United failed to hold out, inflicting another blow to their chances of Champions League qualification, as Ivan Toney teed up Ajer to smash home.
Victories for Aston Villa and Tottenham earlier in the day upped the pressure on United to respond in the battle for Champions League football next season.
A draw leaves Erik ten Hag’s men 11 points off the top four and eight adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham.
But it was the manner of the performance that was just as concerning for Ten Hag on the back of a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool in their last outing before the international break.
It was back to the drawing board for the Dutchman as his side were comprehensively outplayed by a Brentford side that have won just twice in 16 Premier League games.
Captain Ivan Toney was just one of four Brentford players to hit the woodwork as they peppered the United goal with 31 shots.
BLUES BOOED OFF AFTER MINNOWS’ TWO RED CARDS
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was met with another backlash at Stamford Bridge after his side failed to make the most of an extra man for the entire second half against second-bottom Burnley.
The Blues appeared on course to cruise to victory after Lorenz Assignon was harshly sent off for pulling down Mykhailo Mudryk inside the area.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany was also shown a red card for taking his protests too far.
Cole Palmer coolly chipped in the resulting penalty, but the 10 men levelled two minutes into the second half thanks to Josh Cullen’s super finish from outside the box.
Raheem Sterling had been booed off in Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester a fortnight ago but thought he had set up the winner in style with a flick that Palmer stroked into the far corner.
Chelsea, though, failed to hold out again as Dara O’Shea headed in a corner nine minutes from time to leave Pochettino’s men still in the bottom half of the table.
“Today we didn’t show the capacity, the energy, the hunger that is the minimum to compete in the Premier League,” said Pochettino.
“In the defensive phase we conceded too much. That is why I am so upset and disappointed.”
He added: “It’s difficult to accept not to win. It was a must-win game.”
Chelsea’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino was furious after another disappointing day.Source: AFP
NEWCASTLE FIGHTBACK
Newcastle closed to within one point of West Ham in seventh after a remarkable fightback at St. James’ Park.
Goals from Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen wiped out the advantage given to Newcastle by Aleksander Isak’s early penalty.
However, a second Isak spot-kick 13 minutes from time sparked the turnaround before substitute Harvey Barnes struck twice to send Eddie Howe scurrying down the touchline in celebration.
Newly-capped England international Anthony Gordon had been involved in three of the four Newcastle goals but was then sent-off in stoppage time for kicking the ball away.
“A lot of emotions in that game, we were swinging all over the place,” said Howe.
“The last 10 minutes was amazing to be part of.”
Eddie Howe celebrated a wild win.Source: Getty Images
EVERTON’S HUGE RELEGATION BLOW
Everton’s winless run stretched to 12 Premier League games after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth to leave the Toffees still perilously placed just three points above the relegation zone.
Dyche’s side looked set for a valuable point when Beto’s 87th minute goal cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s opener at the Vitality Stadium.
But in the final seconds, Adam Smith’s cross hit Everton defender Seamus Coleman on the chest before dropping into the net.
With a potential second points deduction for alleged financial breaches also hanging over them, Everton face a nervous end to the season but coach Sean Dyche remains confident.
“The question marks over this club have been here for two-and-a-half, three years,” he said.
“I believe in the players and I believe in myself.”
He added: “Obviously I’m frustrated and disappointed with the dying embers of the game.
“For such a simple moment we get confused and they get a goal out of nothing really.
“We find a goal and I’m pleased with that, because it’s an ugly goal and you can’t always score the perfect goal.
“We should go away with a point of course, but we can’t defend like that.”
Bournemouth took the lead in the 64th minute as Solanke got between James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey to head home Lloyd Kelly’s cross.
Everton hit back when Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto dropped Dwight McNeil’s cross right at the feet of Beto for a simple tap-in.
But Dyche’s delight turned to despair after Coleman’s own goal sent Everton home empty-handed.
Seamus Coleman scored a ridiculous own goal.Source: Getty Images
FOREST HIT BACK AFTER DEDUCTION, FULHAM FIRE LATE
Nottingham Forest edged out of the bottom three on goal difference in their first match since receiving a four-point deduction as Chris Wood salvaged a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
Sheffield United were denied just their fourth win of the season by Fulham’s late fightback at Bramall Lane.
Ben Brereton Diaz struck twice as the Blades led 3-1 with four minutes of the 90 left only for Bobby DeCordova-Reid and Rodrigo Muniz to snatch a point for the visitors.
Manchester United are now nine points adrift of the top five and desperately need to beat Brentford in Saturday’s late kick-off to maintain their hopes of Champions League football next season.
All of the three title challengers are in action on Sunday.
Liverpool have the chance to go top when they host Brighton before Manchester City and Arsenal kick-off at the Etihad in a clash of huge significance in the title race.
Bournemouth have staged an astonishing fightback from three goals down to beat Luton 4-3 and spoil Tom Lockyer’s emotional return to the scene of his near-death ordeal.
Lockyer collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during the second half of Luton’s Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium on December 16.
The Wales defender was “technically dead” for over two minutes as medics fought to save his life.
Rushed to hospital and fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Lockyer has been able to resume normal life but is yet to return to playing with Luton.
After the original game was abandoned with the score at 1-1, the 29-year-old was back at Bournemouth for the rearranged fixture 88 days on from the harrowing incident.
Luton Town’s Welsh defender #04 Tom Lockyer applauds the fans ahead of the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Luton Town at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on March 13, 2024. The fixture was rearranged for Wednesday, after Luton captain Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest in the original game in December 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) /Source: AFP
Lockyer’s presence initially galvanised Luton, who scored three times in the first half through Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley.
But Bournemouth hit back in stunning style after the interval thanks to strikes from Dominic Solanke, Illia Zabarnyi and two-goal Antoine Semenyo.
Third-bottom Luton sit three points adrift of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest after blowing a golden opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.
Forest will visit Luton in a crucial showdown on Saturday.
Luton’s against the odds bid to extend their stay in the top flight pales in comparison to Lockyer’s own fight for survival.
Lockyer is unsure if he will ever play again after his second collapse, following an similar incident during Luton’s Championship play-off final victory against Coventry at Wembley in May.
For now, he spends his days getting used to becoming a father for the first time after his girlfriend recently gave birth to their baby daughter.
It was a heart-warming scene that greeted Lockyer when he stepped off the Luton team bus to loud cheers from waiting fans.
Lockyer was on the front of Bournemouth’s match-day programme, with mental health first aiders on hand to offer advice to fans at the stadium about cardiac health.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Illya Zabarnyi during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town at Vitality Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. This fixture was re-scheduled after the initial match was abandoned due to Luton Town’s captain Tom Lockyer suffering a cardiac arrest after 58 minutes with the score at 1-1. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
‘THEY ARE HEROES’
“I’m quite numb to the whole thing but being back here, I came into the tunnel area and saw the paramedics that saved my life. I recognised them straight away,” Lockyer said in a pre-match interview.
“What do you say other than thank you? They are heroes and they saved my life. I got a little bit emotional.” A banner in Luton’s orange and white colours displaying an image of Lockyer’s smiling face was held up in the away end.
He walked onto the pitch just before kick-off and shook hands with the life-saving medics.
Given a standing ovation from all four sides of the stadium, Lockyer was visibly moved as Bournemouth and Luton fans chanted his name.
Fittingly, the game was memorable for the right reasons this time, although Lockyer and Luton might disagree.
In the ninth minute, Jordan Clark’s pin-point cross picked out Chong and he planted a header past Neto as Lockyer celebrated in the stands.
City & Liverpool play out thrilling draw | 01:21
Luton doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Alfie Doughty’s clever cut-back invited Ogbene to slot home from close range.
Barkley bagged Luton’s third goal in first-half stoppage time, blasting past Neto after breaking Bournemouth’s offside trap.
But Solanke started Bournemouth’s escape in the 50th minute with a powerful strike from inside the area.
Both sets of fans shared a round of applause in the 59th minute to mark the time of Lockyer’s collapse.
Just three minutes later, Zabarnyi had Luton’s nerves jangling when he headed home from a corner.
Luton’s meltdown was complete in the 64th minute as Semenyo drilled past Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
And there was even worse to come for Rob Edwards’ side in the 83rd minute when Semenyo produced another blistering strike to leave Lockyer and company stunned.
An injury-ravaged Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Luton 4-1 and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.
Chiedozie Ogbene had given the Hatters a shock first-half lead against a Liverpool side missing Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota among others.
Dutch international duo Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo turned the game on its head in two minutes just before the hour mark before Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott secured the win.
Victory takes Jurgen Klopp’s men four points clear of Manchester City and five ahead of third-placed Arsenal, but having played a game more than both their title rivals.
Liverpool’s squad was already stretched by injuries prior to loss of Curtis Jones, Jota and Nunez in the first-half of Saturday’s 4-1 win at Brentford.
Salah scored on his return from a hamstring injury at the weekend, but was forced on as a substitute earlier than planned and suffered a setback that kept him out.
Klopp was already without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara due to injury and the stretched Reds were forced to work harder for the three points than they would have wished just days before the League Cup final.
Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images
Without the first-choice front three of Salah, Jota and Nunez, there was extra responsibility on Diaz but the Colombian had a first 45 minutes to forget.
Twice he had big chances to open the scoring in the first five minutes, but took too long to get his shot away and then fired wide.
Luton held Liverpool 1-1 when the sides met at Kenilworth Road in November and have made a habit of ruffling the feathers of the Premier League’s elite on their return to the top flight.
However, the visitors had barely posed a threat before they went in front on 12 minutes.
Tahith Chong burst into the Liverpool box and when his powerful shot was parried by the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher, Ogbene headed in at the far post.
All of Liverpool’s chances before the break continued to fall to Diaz. He just could not stretch to make a strong connection on Wataru Endo’s cross and then blazed high and wide when unmarked from the edge of the area.
Luton Town’s Irish midfielder #07 Chiedozie Ogbene stunned the Reds with the opening goal.Source: AFP
Klopp was whipping up the Anfield crowd at every opportunity and his side finally opened the floodgates on 56 minutes.
Captain Van Dijk led by example as he shrugged off his marker to power in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.
Mac Allister was the creator again seconds later as Luton again switched off from a dead ball.
Conor Bradley’s throw-in picked out the Argentine midfielder and his volleyed cross was headed in by Gakpo.
Only some heroics from Thomas Kaminski denied Gakpo and Van Dijk their second goals of the night as Liverpool continued to surge forward, even with the lead.
And an animated Klopp could finally relax 19 minutes from time when Diaz this time kept his composure to slot home his 10th goal of the season.
Elliott then rounded off the scoring on his 100th Liverpool appearance by blasting a loose ball into the top corner.
Liverpool’s attention now turns to securing the first of a potential quadruple of trophies to mark Klopp’s final season in charge when they face Chelsea in Sunday’s League Cup final at Wembley.
Rasmus Hojlund made Premier League history as the Manchester United striker’s double ensured his side survived a scare from lowly Luton in their 2-1 win on Sunday.
Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games after netting twice in the first seven minutes at Kenilworth Road.
At 21 years 14 days old, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock’s previous record set when he was 21 years 272 days old.
After failing to score in his first 14 Premier League appearances following his August move from Atalanta, Hojlund has scored eight times in his last eight games in all competitions.
Hojlund’s brace should have put United in complete control, but Luton fought back impressively as Carlton Morris quickly reduced the deficit.
Erik ten Hag’s side were under siege for spells and wasted several chances to kill off fourth-bottom Luton in a tense finale.
Sixth placed United’s fourth consecutive league victory moved them within five points of fourth placed Aston Villa in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
For long periods during a difficult season, that target has seemed beyond United, but Hojlund’s prolific form has given them renewed hope.
With just 37 seconds gone, Hojlund intercepted Amari’i Bell’s dreadful back pass, rounded keeper Thomas Kaminski and slotted into the empty net.
United’s fastest league goal this season was followed by Hojlund’s second in the seventh minute.
When Alejandro Garnacho smashed a volley towards goal from a United corner, the strike hit Hojlund’s chest and deflected into the net.
Hojlund scored a game-winning double against Luton Town. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Kaminski saved well from Marcus Rashford, who curled narrowly wide moments later as United looked set to run riot.
But Morris gave Luton an unexpected lifeline in the 14th minute when the burly striker headed in from close-range after Tahith Chong’s shot deflected into his path.
Gabriel Osho should have equalised, but the Luton defender headed wide from a corner.
Morris went closer with a thunderous strike that whistled just wide from the edge of the area after Garnacho carelessly lost possession.
Ten Hag replaced Casemiro and Harry Maguire with Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay at halftime in a bid to stem Luton’s momentum.
Despite the change, Luton pummelled United immediately after the break, with Cauley Woodrow and Chong both threatening an equaliser.
Luton never gave up and Barkley was inches away from spoiling Hojlund’s memorable day in stoppage-time when his header grazed the bar.
There was also a surprise appearance at the game, with pop megastar Harry Styles taking in all the action at Kenilworth Road.
Styles sat next to Luton legend Mick Harford for the game, although the three-time Grammy winner has previously claimed he’s a United fan.
Harry Styles was at Kenilworth Road to take in the match. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Brighton pushed Sheffield United closer to relegation as the Premier League’s bottom club capitulated after Mason Holgate’s dismissal in Sunday’s 5-0 rout at Bramall Lane.
Holgate was sent off early in the first half for the United defender’s ugly foul on Kaoru Mitoma.
Brighton made the most of Holgate’s exit as Facundo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck struck in quick succession.
Jack Robinson’s second half own goal was followed by Simon Adingra’s late brace, condemning the shambolic Blades to a sixth defeat in their last nine league games.
Chris Wilder’s team are languishing seven points from safety with 13 games left to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
United’s 65 goals conceded in the Premier League this season are the most ever by a side in their first 25 matches in the competition.
A victory at fellow strugglers Luton last weekend had breathed new life into the Blades’ hopes of avoiding relegation.
Yet they reverted to type with a self-inflicted loss that edged them nearer to the drop.
Brighton were winless in their last six Premier League away matches, but they had won 5-2 at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup fourth round in January and ended their barren stretch on their return to Yorkshire.
Brighton smashed five goals past Sheffield United. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
United threatened a goal inside two minutes when James McAtee picked out Jayden Bogle on the edge of the area and his drive was pushed away by Bart Verbruggen.
That proved a crucial moment as Brighton took control.
Wilder’s men were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when Holgate’s studs-up high challenge left Mitoma writhing in pain.
Holgate was initially booked but referee Stuart Attwell upgraded his decision to red card after using the pitchside monitor to review the on-loan Everton right-back’s crude foul.
Brighton needed just seven minutes to make their numerical advantage count. United complained that Brighton should not have been given as a corner because the ball appeared to come off Welbeck last.
From the controversial set-piece, Buonanotte made the Blades pay as he scrambled his effort over the line just before it was hacked clear.
Brighton struck again four minutes later, with former Manchester United forward Welbeck lashing high into the net from close-range after Wes Foderingham pushed Mitoma’s shot into his path.
Wilder was left cursing his luck when Ben Osborn’s close-range volley was ruled out by VAR for a tight offside call against the defender.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side wrapped up their second league win of 2024 in the 75th minute when Robinson turned Mitoma’s cross into his own net.
Adingra rubbed salt into United’s wounds with a clinical volley from 10 yards in the 78th minute.
There was still time for Adingra’s deflected effort to loop in over Foderingham in the 85th minute as United surrendered without a fight.
Carlton Morris scored a controversial stoppage-time equaliser as Luton salvaged a 1-1 draw in their crucial clash with relegation rivals Burnley.
Zeke Amdouni netted late in the first half at Turf Moor to give Burnley the lead, but Morris headed Luton level in the closing minutes.
Burnley were furious Morris’s goal was allowed to stand after a VAR check as Luton’s Elijah Adebayo appeared to deliberately block Clarets keeper James Trafford as he tried to catch Alfie Doughty’s cross.
Trafford was booked for his protest after the goal was allowed to stand, with Luton’s celebrations underlining their relief at avoiding defeat against their fellow strugglers in such dramatic fashion.
James Trafford and Elijah Adebayo (C) collide in the seconds before Luton Town’s Carlton Morris (R) scores their first goal. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany had plenty to say about the decision post-game, declaring a call like it “can’t decide a game”.
“[My view is the same as] everyone’s view,” Kompany told BBC Sport.
“My view is the same as anyone who has played the game. Fair play to the striker, he tries his luck, he blocks the goalkeeper. He has a look, blocks him, looks across to the referee and you think surely not. VAR will sort this out. Luton players are not celebrating.
“It’s quiet. Everyone is ready to move on with the game and then he gives it.
“Look if the consistency is everyone can do it, it’s fine. If we’re not giving fouls for us, that’s fine. Crack on and I have another message to give my players.
“But we’ve had the softest penalty given against us against Aston Villa after two soft yellow cards that cost us a red card. I always tell my players careful with that, we can’t blame the refs. But I haven’t got a story. I don’t know what to say to my players. It’s ridiculous.
“Against Forest we had a goal disallowed we got an apology for. It keeps happening. It’s incredible. It’ll balance off I hope.
“This can’t decide a game. Something done by a bit of magic but not this. Not this.
“We’ll get up and we’ll keep going. It’s not even in my nature to complain about this. I don’t like this side of me. I told the lads I don’t know what to tell you. It’s bizarre.”
Reds too good for Gunners in the FA Cup | 00:54
Burnley defender Dara O’Shea was also struggling to understand the call when interviewed at fulltime.
“I can’t get my head around the decision,” O’Shea said post-game.
“None of us quite understand it and we don’t get any information on the pitch.
“We’re bitterly disappointed with the result. We defended very well.
“Keep going back to that decision and I just can’t understand it.”
“Elijah Adebayo does not go for the ball, it has to be a foul,” added former England defender Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports.
Luton manager Rob Edwards, meanwhile, told TNT Sports he thought it was a goal but added he felt for Kompany.
“I think Elijah Adebayo gets shoved into James Trafford, it is a goal — it is one of those,” he told TNT Sports.
“In the end emotions are high and it is difficult to speak about it and maybe I can be a bit fair. That is a big moment in the game and we deserved that. I do feel for Vinny [Kompany] and if it is a foul I will be honest.”
Luton remain third bottom, behind fourth bottom Everton on goal difference, while Burnley are second bottom and four points from safety.
It was a devastating blow for Kompany’s men, who were just seconds away from only their fourth win this term in a battle between two clubs promoted from the Championship last season and fighting to preserve their top-flight status.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Burnley. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
The game was meant to be played next Tuesday, but Luton’s FA Cup third round replay against Bolton saw it had moved to Saturday with only five days’ notice, a switch that added extra tension to an already fraught encounter.
Beaten in their previous three matches, Burnley had managed only 20 goals in their first 20 games this season, a woeful lack of cutting edge that threatened their top-flight status.
Their profligacy showed no signs of ending when Johann Gudmundsson sprinted clean through on goal, only to shoot straight at Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
Luton tried to make the most of that early escape as Chiedozie Ogbene picked out Ross Barkley, whose curler forced a fine save from Trafford.
Ogbene tested Trafford himself, cutting inside for a powerful strike that almost went in at the near post.
Chelsea striker David Fofana was watching in the stands ahead of a reported loan move to Burnley after recently cutting short his temporary spell at Union Berlin.
The need for a clinical finisher was apparent when Wilson Odobert completely miskicked when the ball fell to him in the Luton area.
De Bruyne returns with trademark assist | 00:27
But Kompany’s men finally showed they know where the goal is, with the help of a little good luck in the 36th minute.
Odobert’s step-over bought him room for a cross that fortuitously deflected into the path of Amdouni, whose shot hit Gudmundsson on the line before going in.
Ogbene wasted a good chance to equalise after the interval, shooting straight at Trafford from Barkley’s pass.
Rising to meet Andros Townsend’s cross, Ogbene’s header was tipped over by Trafford moments later.
But Luton kept pressing and they were rewarded in debatable fashion when Morris nodded home from 10 yards after Adebayo’s block sent Trafford sprawling.
Arsenal’s David Raya had Declan Rice to thank as his header with the last touch of the game handed their side a vital 4-3 win over a determined Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Gabriel Martinelli had given Arsenal the lead in the 20th minute when he swept home inside the box from a Bukayo Saka cross.
But Arsenal’s lead lasted just five minutes as Gabriel Osho thumped a header into the back of the net for Luton’s equaliser.
Yet Arsenal would re-take the lead on the stroke of half time as Gabriel Jesus nodded an inviting cross from Ben White past a helpless Thomas Kaminski.
With a vocal Kenilworth Road behind them, Luton began the second half in fine fashion.
And it was a Raya error that gifted them the hosts’ second equaliser of the evening.
Luton defender Alfie Doughty whipped in a corner from the right side that Raya came to claim but completely flapped at, allowing Elijah Adebayo to head home.
Raya was at fault yet again for Luton’s third goal when Ross Barkley’s effort from inside the box squeezed underneath the Spaniard.
David Raya was caught flapping at a cross. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Raya’s mistakes will not do him any favours when it comes to the debate as to who should be Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper as Aaron Ramsdale remains in the mix.
Unfortunately for Luton their lead lasted only three minutes.
Gabriel Jesus chested down a long ball and immediately played it in front of Havertz, who had found himself in space.
The German poked the ball past the on-rushing Kaminski and immediately grabbed it from the net as Arsenal looked to capitalise on the momentum.
But there would be one final dagger for the home side, as Rice rose highest to get his head on a Martin Odegaard cross and spark jubilant scenes from Arsenal.
The victory propels them two points clear of second placed Machester City who travel to title rivals Arsenal on Sunday night.
It wasn’t an easy win after they recovered from Yves Bissouma’s dismissal for diving to earn the points.
Bissouma was sent off just before half-time for his needless second booking at Kenilworth Road.
But Mickey van de Ven’s first goal for the club soon after the interval clinched unbeaten Tottenham’s sixth win in eight league games.
“We showed a lot of character and resilience. We started really well, should have been three or four up, but then you get the red card and it is a different type of game,” Postecoglou said.
“I thought we held it together really well. In the end we get three points at a difficult place to go.”
The north Londoners’ superb start to Postecoglou’s first season in charge have awoken dreams of an unexpected title challenge.
While that may yet prove beyond Tottenham, the Australian has undoubtedly had a huge impact on a club that was in turmoil when he arrived from Celtic.
A toxic combination of Tottenham’s poor results and dour displays, combined with Harry Kane’s close-season move to Bayern Munich, left many expecting another season of turmoil, but Postecoglou has worked wonders to steady the ship.
He had already earned plaudits for energising Tottenham with his attacking tactics, but this gritty performance will have been equally pleasing.
It is the best unbeaten start any Tottenham manager has ever made and, with fixtures against Fulham and Crystal Palace up next, they could extend their unbeaten start through the rest of October.
“The players want to change the destiny of this football club and that is what they are trying to do on the pitch,” Postecoglou said.
“It’s going alright, but we’re in October and still have a lot of work to do.” In their first meeting with Tottenham since a goalless draw in 1992, struggling Luton found it impossible to get a foothold in a blistering start from the visitors.
It’s Ange’s world. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Richarlison should have put Tottenham ahead in the opening moments, but he scuffed wastefully over.
The Brazilian squandered another good chance seconds later with a low shot that lacked the power and accuracy to Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski, who saved with his foot.
Son was next to threaten as Tottenham laid siege to Kaminski’s goal, with the South Korean curling wide from inside the area, then forcing a smart stop from the overworked keeper.
As Tottenham monopolised possession, Dejan Kulusevski’s strike was tipped away by Kaminski.
After benefiting from the VAR mistake that saw Liverpool’s Luis Diaz denied a legitimate goal in last weekend’s win over the Reds, Tottenham were aided by correct use of the system this time.
VAR stepped in to rule out Luton’s goal late in the first half when Luton’s Elijah Adebayo shoved Cristian Romero before heading against the far post for Tom Lockyer to nod home the rebound.
Tottenham were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Bissouma, already booked for fouling Chiedozie Ogbene, blatantly dived in an attempt to win a free-kick after Marvelous Nakamba’s challenge.
Referee John Brooks wasn’t fooled by Bissouma’s attempted deception and immediately showed a second yellow card to the Mali midfielder.
Adebayo should have made Luton’s numerical advantage pay off straight after half-time, but he shot woefully wide from close-range after being picked out by Ogbene’s cross.
That miss proved the turning point as Tottenham took the lead in the 52nd minute.
James Maddison’s determined run took him to the byline and he pulled the ball back to Van de Ven, who applied the finishing touch with a deft finish from six yards.
Carlton Morris squandered Luton’s best chances to equalise in quick succession, dragging his shot wide from a good position before firing straight at Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Al Hilal are reported to have negotiated a £50 million ($AUD99 million deal for the 28-year-old.
“The club can confirm that Aleksandar Mitrovic has this evening left to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for a club record transfer fee,” Fulham said in a statement.
“The club had reluctantly accepted a revised offer as the player had consistently made his desire to leave known.”
Mitrovic pushed for a move in order to join the growing list of players swapping Europe for a lucrative switch to the Gulf state.
He will be Al Hilal’s latest high-profile signing after their swoops for Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Malcom.
Mitrovic has gone to Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
