Luton Town 2 Fulham 4
The fairy tale has come to an end for The Hatters. Despite their best efforts, although mathematically still possible, they were all but relegated coming into this game. Fulham were the visitors to Kenilworth Road as Rob Edwards’ side looked to go out on a high.
If you got points for passion and effort, Luton Town would have been safe some time ago. Sadly, this is not how the Premier League works. There had been too many simple errors defensively, often leaving them in uphill struggles every week.
In a first half of very few chances, this game had all the markings of an end of the season match. As Kaminski looked to clear the ball downfield late in the half, he gifted possession to Tete out wide. The Cottagers came forward looking to create their first real opening of the game.
As the ball was worked to Traore outside the box, he struck a stunning volley into the far corner to give Marco Silva’s side the lead. It dampened an already dour atmosphere in Kenilworth Road. This foray into the top-flight had all been a little too much for The Hatters.
Credit: @FulhamFC
Just as it seemed Fulham would go into the interval ahead, Bassey made a clumsy challenge on Ogbene in the box. After mulling over his decision for a moment, the referee pointed to the spot. Morris stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as he slotted home.
It was just the response the fans wanted to see after falling behind. If they were to have any hope of staying in this league, they still needed Forest to lose and The Hatters would have to score another twelve goals in this game. Good luck with that.
Part of the reason they are in this position is their defensive frailties. Just over a minute after equalising, Wilson laid it off into the path of Jimenez, who passed the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead once again.
Just after the interval, Fulham were awarded a free kick in a wide position. Reed curled a ball into the box and Jimenez rose to put a glancing header into the far corner to double their lead. If Luton are hoping for a quick return to the Premier League, they need to shore up this defence.
As ever, The Hatters continued to try and find a way back into the game. Doughty drilled a free kick into the box and it beat everyone, including the Fulham keeper Leno. He really should have done better but seemed somewhat unsighted until it was too late.
Fulham then came forward on the counter-attack and Traore did well to use his strength to hold the ball up before laying it off to Wilson outside the box. He struck a superb left-footed effort into the top corner to ensure Marco Silva’s side came away with all three points.
Credit: @FulhamFC
It has been an inconsistent season for The Cottagers but they finish the campaign firmly in mid-table. For Luton, they have enjoyed their time in the top-flight but were made to realise just how cut-throat life is in the Premier League.
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