Luton Town

Luton goalscorer Luke Berry has been speaking to Premier League Productions following the last-minute draw: "It was important. I've been coming on late recently, so it was nice to come on, help the boys, and get a goal. It was a big game and we needed to not lose that.

"The manager told me to get forward and get a goal. [He told me to] get off the strikers and sniff the knockdowns from the corners.

"I'm not normally in there. I'm normally taking it or on the edge, so maybe I can be in there more often now."

On earning a point for the Hatters: "It was massive. We needed to not lose, so we are still three [points] off them with nine games to go. So there's still a lot to play for.

"You could see we were struggling physically out there. You could see the boys were knackered. A lot of the boys have been playing 90 minutes for weeks now, without a rest."

On the relegation battle: "Three points is not much and we've got a lot of games at home. I'm sure we are going to do well."

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

These are the games - at home to a relegation rival - that you would normally say you have to win to stay up.

Given the circumstances, though, Luton will be happy to have got out with a point.

Injuries have plagued Rob Edwards' side and, coming off the back of a devastating 4-3 loss at Bournemouth, it would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves when Nottingham Forest went in front.

Instead, Luton continued to scrap, not interested in any excuses, as they fought to keep Forest out with a series of goal-line clearances.

They lacked a cutting edge at the other end and struggled to create much from open play.

However, it is a different story from set pieces and Luke Berry was alive in the box, swivelling to earn a point for the Hatters.

It is still a big ask for Luton to stay up, especially with trips to Tottenham and Arsenal immediately after the international break.

But they have shown throughout this campaign that whatever the challenge they're faced with, they will fight until the end.

Luton boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the draw: "You need [character]. We're getting a lot of blows at the moment. You get knocked down on Wednesday night and it was very tough for us all. I thought we performed really well today, in difficult circumstances, with the bodies missing.

"It was the same lot going again after only a day and a bit of prep really. To go 1-0 down was another blow that we had to try and overcome.

"We lost two more players to injury - I don't know how they are now. We had several players playing out of position but somehow we managed to find a way to get something out of the game.

"There were a couple great pieces of defending, clearances off the line, we dominated large spells but they are a big threat on the counter [attack] and any mistakes, they can punish you. It looked like they could've done that, but this group just keep going."

On the Hatters' survival chances: "It's this club - Luton Town. We have got to fight, we've had to do that for a long time. I've come in over the last 18 months and learnt that.

"There is no other option than to keep going and keep fighting. The players have shown quality and bravery, as well as that fighting spirit. We will never give up, we will always keep going. They are a special, special group.

"To be 3-0 up and lose the game midweek was tough for us all, so to come back in such a big game - and for Luke Berry, who has now scored in every league, to get that equaliser - is a really special moment for him and this football club."

On the injuries: "We're getting to the point where I might have to register myself and we don't want that, believe me!

"We'll try to patch ourselves up and there will be a lot of hard work between now and the next time we play, but we're not expecting too many to be back unfortunately.

"That is difficult, but we're not complaining. We will keep fighting."

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday afternoon's game between Luton Town and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

• Luton have scored in each of their past 17 Premier League games, extending their longest ever such run in the top-flight. It’s their longest scoring streak in league football since a run of 18 games between January and April 2018.

• Nottingham Forest remain without a win in their last 10 Premier League away games against promoted sides, though nine of these 10 games have finished level (L1).

• Luton’s equaliser was their 10th Premier League goal from a corner this season. Only Arsenal (13) have scored more.

• Chris Wood’s opener was his 150th goal in English league football, while Nottingham Forest are the fifth team he has scored 10 or more goals for in the top four tiers (Burnley 49, Leeds 41, Leicester 14, Millwall 11).

• Each of Luke Berry’s past three league goals for Luton have been as a substitute, with his strike against Forest being his first ever Premier League goal.

Luke Berry scored an 89th-minute equaliser for Luton as they salvaged a point at home to Nottingham Forest, as both teams battle for Premier League survival.

Chris Wood had put Forest ahead when he stretched to convert Morgan Gibbs-White's dink to the back post.

With time running out, Reece Burke headed Ross Barkley's corner towards goal and Berry finished on the spin from six-yards out.

Ryan Yates nearly gave Forest all three points in the final minute of added time but his sweet strike flew just wide to keep the gap between the sides at three points, with Luton in 18th, a place below their visitors.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Forest fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

Follow all of the reaction here

In the midst of the FA Cup quarter-finals, we still have plenty of Premier League action and we'll bring you every second.

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BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Anna Friedberg and Emily Linden from alt-rock band Friedberg.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

There are two results that I feel have really hurt Luton this season - the first was their home defeat by Sheffield United at the start of February, and the other came when they got beaten by Bournemouth on Wednesday after being 3-0 up.

A victory would have put them above Nottingham Forest in the table, which would have been massive going into this game, but their defeat makes me think they really have to win this one now - even though we won't know the full picture at the bottom of the table until we find out about Forest's possible points deduction.

Luton always score - they have found the net in 16 consecutive Premier League games - but they have kept only two clean sheets all season and have got some defensive injuries to contend with at the moment too.

I don't see them keeping Forest out, and I don't think Nuno Espirito Santo will be beaten, either. A draw probably is not a bad result for them.

Anna and Emily's prediction: 2-3

Read the rest of their predictions here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.

Here are the key lines from the Luton boss:

• Midfielder Tahith Chong, who took a knock against Bournemouth in the week, "will be fine" and is fit to feature against Forest.

• Elijah Adebayo has suffered a set-back with his hamstring injury and "it’s worse than expected." Edwards added: "We have to be really careful with it now."

• On the disappointing defeat to the Cherries: "We feel ready to go. There’s no other way but get it out of your system. We have to learn from the bits we got wrong and work on the things we did well."

• He said his players don't have a mentality issue and "it was just a bad half of football and that can happen at this level".

• On the game against Forest now being 'a six-pointer': "Yes I think you can say that, but they all are at this point. It’s 10 finals and this is the first of those games so of course it’s a huge game for us."

• He said Ross Barkley's nose "is starting to repair" and joked that it would be good for him to have a game "where he doesn't take a knock to the face".

• On fan support at full-time at the Vitality Stadium: "I think they were trying to pick me up! We’ve got special supporters and they’re amazing."

• He said Carlton Morris "leads by example" as stand-in captain to the absent Tom Lockyer and added "he's been consistently good for us".

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Going into what is now their biggest game of the season so far against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Luton Town will have to somehow dust themselves down and pick themselves up after the psychologically demoralising defeat on Wednesday.

The loss at Bournemouth could be damaging but the manager, coaches and staff must lift those players and address how and why they squandered such a lead to try and stop it happening again.

But it's not as simple as that and it's important not to be too critical. The majority of pundits never gave the Hatters a chance of staying up and they've already quashed that as they continue to give it a good go.

The crippling injury situation is a nightmare. Eight first team players were missing on Wednesday night, including key players in the spine of the team.

They are having to use the same players game after game and many of them could do with a rest. But such is Rob Edwards' now thin squad, he can't give them that and so mentally and physically the Hatters are exhausted and struggling to cope - thus when teams turn on the intensity, Luton wobble.

The difference between the two halves was more to do with Bournemouth than Luton. In the first half, the Cherries underestimated the Hatters and out of possession were casual, passive and lacking any sort of structured press, which no team can get away with. Luton lapped it up.

After no doubt strong words at half time, Bournemouth sorted their out-of-possession laxness, allowing them to then blitz Edwards' team in possession. Luton are going have to learn very quickly how to deal with situations like that and know what to do when they come under such pressure. Even if that means a bit of gamesmanship and breaking up play with an 'injury' or two.

What it comes down to is decision-making, game management and footballing intelligence. It's not just about the basics like technique, talent and touch, the very best players have both skillsets.

That's what Luton are up against - teams that can spend 10, 20, 30 million pounds to get those types of players. The Hatters might be able to do that in the future but, guess what, that would involve staying up. Football can be cruel, hence, Forest on Saturday is massive.

Commentary of Luton Town v Nottingham Forest on BBC three counties digital radio

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Luton Town and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

• Luton are unbeaten in their last five league games against Nottingham Forest (W2 D3), having lost five of six against them before this (W1).

• Nottingham Forest lost their most recent away league game against Luton 1-0 in April 2022. They also lost on their last top-flight visit to Kenilworth Road in April 1992 (1-2).

• Luton have scored in 13 of their 14 Premier League home games this season, failing only in a 1-0 loss against Tottenham in October. Only Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham (100%) have scored in a higher share of their home games this term than the Hatters (93%).

• Having scored in each of their first nine Premier League games under Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest have lost 1-0 in both of their last two. They last went three top-flight games without a goal in April 1999.

• Carlton Morris has scored in each of his past three Premier League home games for Luton. He has been involved in four (three goals, one assist) in his past four at Kenilworth Road, one more than in his first 10 at home in the competition (one goal, two assists).

• Chris Wood scored both of Nottingham Forest’s goals in their 2-2 draw with Luton in the reverse fixture. His next goal will be his 150th in English league football. Forest would be the fifth team he’s scored 10+ goals with in the top four tiers (Burnley 49, Leeds 41, Leicester 14, Millwall 11).

Nottingham Forest are in a tricky situation that’s for sure.

I think they’re waiting for this charge now and to see if any points will be deducted because it has affected them and it has hung over them.

I thought they would have picked up more results recently but have ended up in a bad run of form, so I think that tells you everything. Yes, you have to consider opponents, but I still think they’ve got it within them to turn around the results.

If you’re looking at it as a straight relegation battle between them and Luton, then I’m going to back Forest.

I think the result of this weekend will lean towards who stays up, but I don’t think it’s season defining.

If Forest were to win it then it would be very damning for Luton, but if Luton were to win it, then I don’t see it as season changing at this moment in time.

There’s 10 games to go but it’s a game Luton can’t afford to lose.

Rob Edwards has managed in adversity, so I feel like he’s capable of doing that and getting results because he digs out the team spirit. He’s been consistent with that all season.

It’s different for Nuno because he’s come in having been in different situations. The pressure is growing, the points deduction is hanging over you too, so I’m not sure he’s fully equipped for this even though he’s clearly a very talented football manager.

I wouldn’t say he’s a specialist in this position.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

We asked for your views on Bournemouth's 4-3 victory over Luton on Wedenesday.

Here are some of your answers:

Bournemouth fans

Fred: It was a great second-half performance and a good result on paper but our home form has to improve. Three-nil down to Luton at half-time is not good enough. Safe to say we've avoided any possibility of being dragged into the relegation battle but things need to improve for next season.

KC: This team is unreal!! To be three nil down and come back after half-time like that... wow. Couldn't be prouder.

Terry: At half-time that was the first time I have ever heard the fans boo the team. At the end, they were given a long standing ovation.

Luton fans

Nick: Sad to say, but if we insist on not defending, we will go down.

Christopher: I thought the performance tonight was utterly brilliant. It’s no surprise any team is going to struggle against Bournemouth at home and yet to go 3-0 up was fantastic. Now with so many injuries and so tired in second half the boys will have to ask themselves, “Can we do it?” But this is Luton. They never, ever give up. We can.

Justin: That's about as bad as it gets. I know we have a huge amount out injured but we should never throw a three goal lead away. Bournemouth worked out our weaknesses and went on the rampage. Nottingham Forest will be a tough watch on Saturday.

Luton boss Rob Edwards after his side were beaten 4-3 at Bournemouth in the Premier League:

"We went 3-0 up, then we gave them encouragement. They have brilliant quality, especially in one v one situations and we didn't defend those moments well enough. You can look at similarities, build up to the first goal, build up to the second goal, not winning first contact on set pieces, not winning duels...

"Similar situations for the third and fourth [goals] too, we have to learn to defend better in those key moments. Lots for us to look back at and dissect. We'll have to review it and look back.

"Of course I've got to take responsibility."

On being ruthless and comfortable in the first half: "We played really well but the warning signs were still there. They are a good team and there were still some things were were unhappy with at half time.

"We felt that we allowed the ball to come into our box too often and too easily in the first half, but you are right, there was some brilliant goals and brilliant play. We looked a real threat going forward.

"We gave them the encouragement, the crowd got up and we have to defend those situations a lot better."

On how Luton can bounce back: "It's going to hurt but we have to pick ourselves up. We have another huge game in a few days time and we've got no other option but to pick ourselves up and go again.

"It's still the same going into this next game and there is still a long way to go after Saturday as well. We are not out of this fight. We are three points behind the team above us and our job is to try and win the game on Saturday.

"We'll patch ourselves up and see where we are at numbers and bodies-wise at the weekend and we will go again."

Did you know?

• Luton have scored in each of their past 16 Premier League games – only Newcastle in 1993-94 (20) have had a longer such run for a promoted side in their debut season in the competition.

• Luton remain one of just two teams – along with Sheffield United – yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Smith, BBC Sport

BBC 5 Live pundit Paul Robinson described Luton as many people's second team in the Premier League this season, given the amount of goodwill towards the club.

Their amazing rise to the Premier League, their battle against the financial odds, their attacking play, and of course Tom Lockyer's situation are all major factors.

Yet good wishes can only carry a side so far - points are the only thing that matter. And that was shown at its starkest in this match.

Luton, buoyed by Lockyer taking the adulation on-pitch pre-match, were coasting in the first-half - but were blown away by a resurgent Bournemouth in the second.

Two stats show the duality of Luton - they have scored in each of their last 16 Premier League games, a club record run.

But, the Hatters remain one of just two teams – along with Sheffield United – yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season.

Bournemouth denied Luton the chance to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone as they came from 3-0 down to win a seven-goal thriller at Vitality Stadium.

The Hatters were irresistible in the first half and were three ahead at half-time through goals from Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley.

But Bournemouth were much improved after the break, Dominic Solanke's brilliant goal sparking a comeback which was completed by Illia Zabarnyi's bundled finish and Antoine Semenyo's blistering double.

Luton had seemed destined for a huge win on an emotional night, with this game having been rearranged following the December fixture being abandoned when captain Tom Lockyer suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch.

But instead they remain winless in their past seven games, and three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest - who they host in the Premier League on Saturday.

Bournemouth remain 13th following their first home win in 2024.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Bournemouth fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here