Luton Town 1 Manchester United 2 – Costly First 7 Minutes But Hatters Battle

half time wateringhalf time watering

The biggest blow to the Town’s hope didn’t happen during the game but in the warm-up to it. Less than an hour before kickoff it turned out talisman striker Elijah was out with an abductor problem. Having recently had to get to the grips with that machine in the gym, one can understand the concern.

So presumably all the training and drills and focusing which had been built around a certain line-up saw a last minute rethink with Cauley Woodrow in to replace Adebayo.

It was Luton’s kick-off but within sixty seconds the Town were behind when Amari Bell opted to square rather than boot the ball back to the keeper, and Rasmus stole in to advance on goal and stick it beyond Kaminski.

What emerged later was just what a big part the ref played in United’s opener, getting in the way of a Luton attack taking two players out the game, leaving a big punt down field which was the one Bell tried to deal with.

It got worse when a speculative shot was mysteriously turned into the net by Hojlund again. F block and others were convinced it was offside at the time, and waited for the inevitable VAR, but turned out he was a good yard onside and the ball was chested into the net.

This Luton side do not know when to lie down though. How often have we said that?

Good play down the left, ball falls to Chong who takes a decent strike which lobs up kindly for the braveheart that is Carlton to stoop to direct a header over the flapping Onana.

1-2 game on.

Lokongba and Ross took control of the game. Casemiro didn’t know which county he was in. A continuation of the poor performance from the ref saw the Brazilian given a generous four foul start before a belated booking. And then a moment of incredulity when Casemiro arrived a couple of minutes late for a challenge on Ross right in front of the ref, only for the official to keep his card in his pocket.

Pivotal.

It really should have been 2-2 when Maguire passed a United free kick direct to Ross. He surged forward very similar to the goals against Newcastle, and laid it off to Woodrow in space with just the keeper to beat. Sadly his weak shot was blocked.

Maguire reverted to the agricultural career he seemed born for with an ugly challenge on Chieo. Shaw hacked down the same player and started limping. He was exited before half time.

No surprise to see Ten Hag remove Casemiro and Maguire at the break. Evans the replacement made more clearances in the second half only that any other player on the pitch.

A word for some frankly heroic defending in the second half to keep the score down. One block from Lokonga from a Fernandes effort at an open goal was sensational. Kaminski as ever made some mega saves.

At least 7 warnings for time wasting dished out to Onana during the game yet no sign of a card. Countless stoppages yet only 4 minutes time allowed at the end of the game.

Given the circumstances Woodrow had a decent game although because of the goals conceded we needed a day where chances were taken. And just like against Sheffield United when we also had more than 20 shots, unfortunately today it was not to be.

We go again with the relative easy fixture at Anfield on Wednesday.

#COYH

Town: Kaminski; Ogbene, Doughty (sub Berry 82), Mengi, Osho, Bell; Lokonga, Barkley; Chong (sub Clark 68) Woodrow (sub Townsend 68), Morris.

Sub not used: Krul, Potts, Kaboré, Burke, Mpanzu, Nelson.

By Sammo