What a day. It began at Luton bus station shortly before 9am, and ended in a similar location just before Match of the Day kicked off. What a shame the BBC didn’t recall Garth Crooks to the pundit sofa for one night only to reflect on his ridiculous comments made a few weeks ago. 3,000 Luton fans who were up on Merseyside know that this Hatters side are going to hold their own in the Premier League.
A dash from the bus just after 3pm meant we missed the first few minutes but by the time we were standing in the Bullens Upper Luton were well on top. A succession of corners delivered expertly by Alfie Doughty gave the Toffees warning. At the third time of asking Carlton rose like a colossus to thunder a header on to the bar via a Pickford flick. As the ball came rocketing down, Ashley Young must have imagined he was back at the Watford training ground and thought it was time for a shimmy. He had reckoned without Tommy Tommy Lockyer who charged forward and the ball crashed into the net for the opening goal.
A few minutes later a well-won free kick by Carlton was placed for another Doughty masterclass. Raising two hands in the air, Alfie’s peach of a cross was met on the volley by Carlton Morris who lashed in Luton’s second.
There was a fortuitous reply from Everton shortly before half time when a clear foul on Lockyer was ignored by the officials, the ball pinged about before Calvert Lewin knocked it in from the goal line.
If anything the second half showed even more of the spirit and fighting qualities this Luton team possess. Lockyer and Burke had to go off injured, but Mads Andersen was a rock at the back, and Teden Mengi didn’t put a foot wrong. There was even time for a cameo from Cauley Woodrow at left wing back.
The Everton approach of pinging it for their big men was simply repelled, and it was as comfortable a defensive performance as I’ve seen from Luton away for some time, certainly in the Premier League.
Those of us who have seen all Luton’s 6 Premier League games can 100% back up what Sir Robbie has been saying – week after week the team are adjusting to top level football, and improvements are visible game by game.
A word for the coach drivers and those who were forced to take to the roads due to the government’s inability to resolve industrial disputes. Not easy given the traffic and congestion, the drivers are all part of the collective energy and effort that power a united Luton squad and supporters adapting to life in the Premier League.
Onto Burnley under the lights at the Kenny on Tuesday. Can’t wait. #COYH
Benno