Jarrod Bowen's first-half goal put West Ham ahead. Photo: Reuters/Peter Ciborra Match highlight: Luton Town v West Ham United
This season has never been an easy one for Luton Town. Last night showed why. With their crowds at full blast, they matched West Ham United in diligence and energy every step of the way.
However, as they suffered their third Premier League defeat of three — though not this time by a three-goal margin — they lacked the finer traits of top-table defensive players such as their visitors: street guile, game management and above all, a piece of quality that can pull something out of nothing.
As a result, Luton had nothing left, although Mads Andersen's late header hinted at another quality: this is a team that will not fall head over heels. David Moyes, West Ham manager, commented that his team won with more in hand, but he praised Luton.
“We had a very good defense tonight. Luton's style will cause trouble.»
Andersen's solace in the championship stadium for a team filled with championship players was from a championship textbook. A long free-kick headed by Carlton Morris and Andersen nodded his head. But the teams survived with less means, and it was not without joy.
The last time Kenilworth Road hosted a top tier match was in 1992 when Mark Pembridge and Brian Stein scored for the Luton team, including debutant Darren Salton sending Aston Villa. Unusual for Luton that year, and generally unusual for almost any season, on a journey that took them to such exotic places as Histon, Hyde and Hayes and & At Yeading United, the crowd was down to five figures. A sold-out Premier League season will overcome this hurdle, but only for a moment.
Luton cleverly uses the advantages it has. They have such a tight space, so far from the wide open steppes of London's West Ham stadium. They have a fierce, fanatical crowd, some of whom are literally within reach of the players, and they have a charged but well-trained team that Morris will score goals for and with which Ross Barkley could yet revive a dying career.< /p
«We have to do better, but I've seen enough to believe we can survive,» said Rob Edwards, Luton manager. “There was nothing to be afraid of tonight, and no one could say that it was not so difficult. I saw a team that was compact, aggressive and created chances. We are on the right track.”
No stranger to noise, West Ham were waiting in the wings. With cultured Mexican Edson Alvarez right in front of the back four, they had their own foothold in midfield that kept Declan Rice's absence from being felt too keenly. But as the crossover Alfie Doughty began to get the better of Emerson, there were signs that something amazing might be about to happen. Luton's hopes, like their dreams, soon faded and died.
Despite the heartfelt efforts of both teams and Jarrod Bowen, who fired wide as the visitors raced to the top, no goaltender was called to meaningful action. until West Ham scored a simple goal in the 37th minute.
Kurt Zouma's powerful header increased in the second half halved West Ham lead Photo: Getty Images/Eddie Keogh
Alvarez put Lucas in the Packet about 20 yards away, but Marvelus Nakamba didn't have time to close it. Paqueta shot deep as Bowen squeezed between Giles and Amari Bell to score his third goal in three away games thanks to a woefully taken by surprise Thomas Kaminski. , established hegemony in midfield and as Bowen increasingly dominated moved forward in search of a crucial second player, he found himself outside of the Premier League's first Town since Huddersfield were relegated in 2019. With Kurt Zouma firmly leading James Ward, Prowse's Corner past Kaminsky, West Ham were ready to run.
Andersen's header ended that idea, but West Ham were a worthy winner, and a team that did so had a slow start last season, topping the table for several hours. at least. «I like the way it sounds,» Moyes smiled. «We got a lot of positives from winning the European trophy: let it go on for a long time.»
Match summary: Luton Town — West Ham United.
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