Bournemouth 4 Luton Town 3
The Cherries took on The Hatters at the Vitality Stadium, a match that was to prove an emotional one for the visitors, in more ways than one. The reverse fixture this season saw their captain, Tom Lockyer suffer a cardiac episode which has kept him out of the game since.
However, Rob Edwards’ side seemed to have their spinach before the game. Clark clipped in a sublime ball from the byline and Chong headed home to give the visitors an early lead and silence the home faithful on the south coast.
The Bournemouth defence had treated the Luton midfielder like the McCann’s do their children. He was just left all alone. It is unlikely that the former Man Utd player will score an easier goal in his football career to be fair.
He was involved again as he fed the ball to Doughty who crossed towards the back post. Ogbene had made the run and tapped the ball in to double The Hatters’ lead. Things were all going according to plan for Rob Edwards.
Credit: @LutonTown
In added time at the end of the first half, the travelling fans were living their wildest dreams. Kabore spotted the run of Barkley, who smashed the ball past the keeper to make it three-nil to Edwards’ side. It was a first half to remember for Luton Town.
If the first half was like a genie had granted them a wish before the game, the second half was to prove like they were trapped in a nightmare with Freddy Krueger. Whatever threats Andoni Iraola made to his players at the interval seemed to work.
Mepham played a high ball to Solanke in the box. He pulled it out of the air and turned two defenders, before slotting the ball past Kaminski to give them a glimmer of a hope. Finally The Cherries’ fans had something to celebrate.
As the hosts whipped in a corner, it was helped on at the near post and somehow Luton kept it out on the line. Zabarnyi then headed it towards goal before it was seemingly cleared off the line once again. However, the referee pointed to the halfway line and the goal was given.
The replays showed that Doughty was well behind the line before he headed the ball clear. Thankfully it was the one form of technology in football we can put all our trust in as the referee’s watch buzzed, providing they have remembered to turn it on that is.
Christie then played a great crossfield pass to Semenyo. The winger never needs much of an invite to run at a defence, cut inside onto his left foot and buried it into the bottom corner of the goal. The Bournemouth fans were in a state of delirium as the comeback was complete.
Credit: @afcbournemouth
However the hosts were not done yet. Unal played the ball into Semenyo who strode into the box. He unleashed a fierce shot that had too much pace for Kaminski to keep out and The Cherries had got themselves a winner with minutes remaining.
This is one of the reasons Luton Town find themselves in the position they are in. There is some sort of self-destruct button within this team which can see them fold like a chocolate fireguard. Rob Edwards must be on some serious uppers to get him over these moments of madness.
Iraola’s side took all three points in the most unlikely of circumstances. No doubt there was an ardent fan somewhere who had chucked a tenner on it at half-time to win their fortune. For The Hatters, you could no doubt hear a pin drop on the team bus as they travelled home.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.