Luton Town 2-1 Crystal Palace: Luton get first home win
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The win against Crystal Palace was Luton's second from 13 Premier League games since being promoted
Luton boss Rob Edwards said he doesn't want his players "having a party" after Jacob Brown's dramatic late winner moved the promoted Hatters four points clear of the relegation zone.
Brown's 81st-minute goal earned the Hatters their first home victory in the Premier League this season, but Edwards' side have a "difficult" set of fixtures coming up.
"I don't want the players having a party," he said. "We've done nothing.
"We've got nine points. I don't think that's anything to be going out to the nightclub and having a flipping disco or a party.
"Enjoy it, but we've got to go again. Brentford's really difficult next week, then we've got Arsenal and Man City to look forward to. We've got to keep improving and getting better.
"So enjoy the moment, enjoy the feeling, it's nice. The players can enjoy their weekend. But it's back to work quickly."
Crystal Palace sit in 15th place after defeat and have won only one of their past six league games.
It took until the second half for the game to spark into life, with one of the few moments of note in the first period when Odsonne Edouard's goal was ruled out because the ball ricocheted off Luton defender Tom Lockyer and on to the Palace striker's hand.
That escape energised Luton and Teden Mengi poked home a loose ball in the box after a flick-on from a corner to break the deadlock.
But Palace winger Michael Olise produced a brilliant piece of individual skill to chop inside and curl past Thomas Kaminski from a tight angle to level within two minutes.
Scotland striker Brown put the Hatters back in front again when he turned home a pinpoint Chiedozie Ogbene pass from close range in the 81st minute.
The Eagles lost Eberechi Eze, who injured his ankle, and Cheick Doucoure, who were forced off in the second half - the latter being carried off on a stretcher.
"They are two of our more important players so of course it's devastating news in a way." said Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
"Cheick Doucoure's injury is very serious, we don't know how serious Eberechi Eze's is."
Important win for Luton
Luton were handed an unexpected boost as Everton's 10-point deduction moved them outside of the relegation places during the international break, but they were still uncomfortably close to the drop zone.
It required a spirited performance from Rob Edwards' men to finally achieve a home victory in the face of a battling Palace side.
Luton goalkeeper Kaminski produced a fine double save in the first half to deny Eze and Jeffrey Schlupp in quick succession, and Ogbene, Carlton Morris and Amari'i Bell tested Sam Johnstone at the other end.
The home side struggled to pick out the final pass until late into the game, but Ross Barkley made the most of Doucoure's departure to start linking play well from midfield.
Luton had picked up just six points from their first 12 games as they took time to adjust to life in the top flight, but now have nine as they built on the excellent home showing against Liverpool.
Tough tests lie ahead for Edwards' side - against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford - in their next three matches but they will at least go into the first of those outside the relegation zone.
Palace struggle after double injury blow
Palace were promising in the final third but were undone by a Luton side who took their chances and made the most of the visitors being hampered by second-half injuries.
Palace started brightly, with Eze curling a shot just wide of the near post within the first minute, and Schlupp and Olise's movement regularly troubled the Luton defence.
Olise showed his capabilities when he provided an expert pass from deep in midfield to set up Edouard, but he dwelled in the box and only turned the ball home after the ricochet that was adjudged handball.
However, Palace struggled after losing Eze and Doucoure within eight minutes of the second half starting and found themselves overrun in midfield as Luton mustered spirited late momentum.
Jefferson Lerma struck the crossbar in the final minute of added time in what was Palace's best chance of salvaging a point.
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