Analysis: Luton Town 4-0 Brighton
- Published
Matthew Howarth, BBC Sport
Before Tuesday's contest, Luton manager Rob Edwards said his team had "evolved" since losing 4-1 at Brighton in their Premier League opener back in August.
How much they have improved became clear with just two minutes and 17 seconds on the clock at Kenilworth Road.
Elijah Adebayo gave the Hatters the lead after just 18 seconds, and there was exasperation bordering on disbelief from the Luton supporters when Chiedozie Ogbene made it 2-0 less than two minutes later.
Luton's physicality and intensity was too much for their shell-shocked opponents, and had it not been for the linesman's flag and some smart goalkeeping from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, they could have won by five or six.
On a night of numerous outstanding performances, Adebayo was the Luton hero as he became the first Luton player to score a top-flight hat-trick since Lars Elstrup against Norwich City in September 1990.
Luton have a lot more work to do to secure top-flight survival, but this result suggests they have what it takes to confound pre-season predictions and fend off relegation.
