Luton Town 1 Everton 1
While Rob Edwards’ side still believed they could pull off the great escape, they were quickly running out of games to do so. Everton were the visitors to Kenilworth Road in what was surely a must-win game for The Hatters. Home form is integral for newly promoted sides to stay up.
Luton Town had won the reverse fixture at Goodison Park and were looking to complete their first Premier League double over a side this season. Calvert Lewin played in McNeil who went to ground as he got in the box. Both the referee and VAR saw no reason to award a spot kick.
As McNeil whipped a cross into the box, Mengi tried to clear but sent the ball towards his own goal. Kaminski reacted well to make the save but as The Hatters struggled to clear, Garner looked to bend one in the far corner but his effort was well blocked.
Everton were dominating the early stages and looked like scoring every time they came forward. They forced a corner and as the cross came in, Branthwaite was man-handled to the floor by Mengi. The referee waved away protests but a VAR review sent him to the monitor.
Credit: @UHTPodcast
After looking at the replay from multiple angles he reversed his decision and pointed to the spot. Calvert Lewin stepped up to take it and stroked it down the middle of the goal to give the visitors the lead. It was nothing more than Sean Dyche’s side had deserved.
The Hatters seemed to change it up a gear following the goal, knowing that their fight for survival rested upon this game. Lokonga played a ball deep into the far post where Adebayo took it on the chest before drilling his shot past Pickford to draw the hosts level.
Rob Edwards’ side were buoyed by the equaliser and started to turn the screw. Doughty put a teasing ball into the back post, where it was met by the head of Morris. His looping header was cleared off the line by Godfrey with no Luton Town player able to get a telling touch to score.
As much as they tried, Luton struggled to create chances in the second half. Everton came forward and as the ball was crossed into the back post, McNeil headed it back across goal. Calvert Lewin met it with a powerful header but Kaminski did well to tip the effort over the crossbar.
Woodrow whipped in a cross late on and it was flicked on by Berry but Pickford got down to push the ball away for a corner. Such was the desperation for a goal, The Hatters sent everyone forward for it, including goalkeeper Kaminski.
The ball was crossed in deep towards the back post. As Mengi won the header, Berry tried an audacious bicycle kick but it deflected over for another corner. What a way that would have been to win such a pivotal game for the hosts.
Credit: @premierleague
Luton were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area late on. As the ball was lofted into the box, it was half-cleared but dropped to Townsend on the edge of the box. He drilled a shot towards the bottom corner but Branthwaite stuck out a leg to deflect it wide.
Time had run out for Luton Town and the points were shared. With only two games remaining, Rob Edwards must be wondering whether it is all too little, too late. As much as they try, The Hatters cannot seem to turn pressure into goals this season.
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