Luton Town

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

With games running out quickly, Luton's form is spiralling in the wrong direction as they battle to retain their spot in the Premier League.

Rob Edwards' side, known for being tough to beat, have conceded 10 goals across their last two outings and seem to be slipping into a worrying trend at the worst time of the campaign.

Luton have won just one of their last 13 in the Premier League, losing nine during that sequence, but remain only one point adrift of safety.

The Hatters struggled to match Brentford's intensity at Kenilworth Road from the outset and injury problems, with nine senior players absent, could be the major reason for a very poor performance.

The likes of Ross Barkley and Alfie Doughty have been reliable figures throughout the term but they were off the pace as on a hugely disappointing afternoon.

Luke Berry's injury goal was a gift from the visitors as they cheaply gave away possession in their defensive third and the Luton midfielder took advantage.

Despite the heavy loss, most Luton fans stayed to the end as they still believe with four matches, including a key home clash with Everton, still to come.

Most expected Luton to be down well before now and they have defied the odds - can they pull off another surprise in the remaining weeks?

Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Luton's win over Brentford: "It was a very difficult day for us. Brentford were good and we weren't. I've just reviewed the goals, there was a lack of intensity, certainly. In transitional moments they were too quick and goof for us. For some reason we had a lethargy today and that can't happen in the Premier League. They punished us.

"My initial thoughts, and that's just from looking at the goals, was we could have done a lot about every single one of them.

"It is surprising and I hope it is a one off. Knowing this group I'm pretty sure it will be, but we have to bounce quickly. The games are running out and we know what it means.

"Brentford were very good and we were poor. They deserved to win the game. In spells in the first half it looked a very even game. We had moments. It's all ifs buts and maybes. We didn't show enough, certainly in the second half.

"We're fighting for our lives to stay in the Premier League. It shouldn't be hard [to be motivated]. It's a tough day.

"Our supporters are incredible, I'm sorry they had to go through that. We owe them a performance now."

Forward Yoane Wissa scored twice as Brentford made easy work of Luton to pull 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Wissa met Bryan Mbeumo's pass first time to curl in the opener emphatically from the edge of the box with 24 minutes on the clock.

The DR Congo forward grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Luton failed to deal with Mbeumo's low cross.

Defender Ethan Pinnock, making his first start since 10 February, headed in a Sergio Reguilon corner in the 62nd minute to put the Bees firmly in the driving seat.

Luton looked dejected and devoid of ideas when Keane Lewis-Potter was afforded space at the far post two minutes later, heading in Mbeumo's cross, before substitute Kevin Schade rounded off the scoring for the visitors.

The home side rarely threatened but were gifted a chance in injury time when the ball fell to the feet of Luke Berry, who side-stepped goalkeeper Mark Flekken and finished from a tight angle.

Brentford have climbed above Crystal Palace into 14th and are 10 points clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play, while Luton remain 18th and one point from safety.

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There is three Premier League matches on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

All times are BST

BBC Radio 5 Live commentary:

• Luton v Brentford

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 Live, and it will be my first time at Kenilworth Road all season.

There is an argument that had you had offered Luton this situation before the campaign started, and told them that with five games to go, they would have a chance of staying up, then they would have taken it.

However, I cannot help thinking there have been a few missed opportunities for the Hatters in recent weeks, and they should be in a much stronger position.

This is a huge game for Luton because it is a chance for them to climb out of the bottom three and also drag Brentford back into the relegation fight, or at least make life uncomfortable for them.

The Bees are not safe yet but after beating Sheffield United last week, they probably only need one more win.

I don't see them getting it here, though. Both teams have got a goal in them, but also I don't see either of them keeping a clean sheet.

Sam's prediction: 2-2

They will both throw the kitchen sink at each other, but it will end up in a draw.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League have confirmed the outcome of Everton's appeal against their latest points deduction will be known before the final day of the season.

Everton are appealing the two-point deduction imposed by an independent commission on the club following its admission of a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

This followed an initial 10-point deduction which was reduced to six on appeal in February, for the three-year period to 2021-22.

Sean Dyche's side sit 16th in the table, two points above the drop zone.

The Premier League said making the decision on the latest deduction, and subsequent appeal, before the end of the season "will provide certainty to all clubs and fans".

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton Town host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed Teden Mengi is the only player who might have a chance to return on Saturday and said on the injury situation: "Still that way [bare bones of squad]. I don't anticipate too many changes but we are making progress. There will be some players coming back but it will be a struggle for this weekend."

• Being one point off safety with five games remaining is a situation Edwards said the Hatters "would have taken": "At the beginning, we knew it would come down to the final five games. We are cool about that - we have spoken about that. [Manchester] City was never going to be defining but the next five will be. We know how important they are. Our aim - we know it will be difficult - is to pick up points in all those games."

• On being used to pressure: "We knew the fight we would be in so we are OK with it. We wanted to pick up more points of course - every team has said they have left points out there. I have seen a team grow in performance levels and compete with teams all season. Makes me very proud."

• He added: "The players are realistic and know the importance of these games. There is no point hiding from it - we need to make it bring out the best in us."

• On whether they can use the model that Brentford have use to sustain their success: "I think we have quite a successful model as well. I would say we have done pretty well. We do what we do - Brentford do what they do. We always get asked, 'could you do like them?', but we have to do what we do and we do it pretty well. Hopefully, in a few years people will be asking can they do like Luton do."

• He said "five wins would be lovely" from the remaining games, but added: "That is difficult. We don't have a crystal ball and don't know what everyone is going to do. A lot of us are playing each other over the next few weeks. We know we have to win some football matches. How many that is we don't know."

• On whether Kenilworth Road will now ramp up the atmosphere for each game: "As long as we are still in the fight, I think it will do. On the last day, if we are still in the mix then that will be an amazing atmosphere. We have three special games at home to come if we are still in the fight."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Listen to commentary of Luton v Brentford on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Saturday

The team at Luton in the Prem believe with players returning from injury, the Hatters still have a great chance of staying up this season.

Luton Town commentator Simon Oxley: "Luton need a bit of luck from somewhere with injuries, just to get a few back to try and help. At what point do we get to the stage when Rob Edwards has got to say for example, to Elijah Adebayo, 'I'm going to have to play you. I know you are not fit, but I'm gonna have to play you if you get the medical clearance.'

"Teden Mengi wasn't fit for Manchester City and he was a big miss as he was so outstanding against Bournemouth. You would want him up there against Ivan Toney.

"It is a must win this weekend and on the last day. Everton is a must not lose rather than must win as we cannot give ground to another team."

Luton Town co-commentator Geoff Doyle added: "We have no midweek games now so we have stretches of a week to get them back, with possibly Sambi Lokonga and Gabriel Osho coming back. If they can play 20 against Brentford and then play a bit longer against Wolves, Luton can then have them back fully for the last three games."

Listen to the full episode of Luton in the Prem podcast on BBC sounds

Here are the key facts before Luton Town host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

• Luton have won just one of their past 12 Premier League games, though it was their most recent one at Kenilworth Road against Bournemouth. The Hatters are yet to record back-to-back home victories this season.

• Brentford have lost both of their away league games against the promoted sides so far, going down 1-0 at Sheffield United and 2-1 at Burnley. The Bees have not lost three away games against promoted teams in a season since the 1988-89 third-tier campaign, when they lost to Cardiff City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers.

• Luton have scored a league-high 39% of their Premier League goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season (18/46), with those goals being worth seven extra points to the Hatters.

• Brentford are unbeaten in their past four Premier League games, having lost 14 of the previous 18. Thomas Frank's side are looking to win consecutive league games for the first time since November.

• Ross Barkley has scored five Premier League goals for Luton this season, only netting more in 2013-14 (six) and 2015-16 (eight). He also has four assists this term, and could register double figures for goal involvements for the third time, after also doing so in 2015-16 (16) and 2016-17 (13).

• Vitaly Janelt is the only player to have played in every league game for Brentford this season. Should he feature on Saturday, he would be the first player to make 100 Premier League appearances for the Bees.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Luton v Brentford at 15:00 BST on Saturday

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

So it comes down to the final five games.

And if you had to pick a quintet of matches most Luton fans would settle for these; Brentford, Wolves, Everton, West Ham and Fulham.

The Hatters will target the three home games but they believe they have solid chances in all five. After the inevitable defeat at Manchester City, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, celebrating his 400th appearance for the town, told us "we think we can win every single game we have left".

Luton probably need to win three as well as not lose to Everton. The injury situation is improving and Luton might even be able to call upon Sambi Lokonga, Gabe Osho and Teden Mengi on Saturday. They probably will not be able to last 90 minutes but any game-time would be excellent news for the run-in.

The Hatters will still have a host of key players missing but now is not the time to dwell on the injury misfortunes. The ones who are available and named in the squad have to front up and produce the goods if the club is to stay up.

For some of these this might be their last opportunity to play in the Premier League. For others, if they do not produce, it might be the last time they play at Kenilworth Road.

So the message should be show the world you are good enough to play in the top flight, that you belong in this company and at this club. Many have already stepped up now others need to follow.

In the heat of the battle, in these final five games, when it will surely come down to fine margins, have these players got the ability, nerve and mentality to make the right decisions at the key times?

Brentford are up first and those players will have the huge advantage of being backed by the Kenny faithful who, as ever, will be loud and hostile. The players then have to respond.

In these final five games it is time to stand up and be counted.

Listen to match commentary of Luton v Brentford on BBC Three Counties Radio and on BBC Sounds at 15:00 BST on Saturday

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Not many Hatters are reading into the game against Manchester City.

Yes, the stats show the overwhelming amount of shots they had and yes they put five goals past us, but that’s the last game we play against the perceived “big six”.

We’ve conceded five goals once against all these teams with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of attacking talent at their disposal. All but two of these matches have turned out to be incredibly tight affairs.

Is 5-1 a battering though? Perspective is important, we went into the game with one centre-back, who hadn’t trained at all, against the world champions. They are also engaged in the tightest title race in recent memory where it could come down to goal difference, and they only scored five, which included two world class strikes, a penalty and a surreal own goal from a shot that was going out for a throw.

Going into the season many Luton fans would have expected to ship five, six, seven or eight goals multiple times this season. It appears we have run the billionaire gauntlet and come out relatively unscathed.

We now have five vital games coming up, including two against teams in the mix with us. This is where results matter. All Luton fans understand that the odds are stacked against us both on and off the pitch, with an injury crisis that puts other teams to shame, and a transfer spend comparable to other teams' intermediary costs.

But this team know all that matters are points on the board and they will keep fighting until the end of the season, hopefully with some players coming back from the treatment table.

Ollie Kay can be found on We Are Luton Town, external

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Aaron asked: Are you surprised at how Luton Town are still fighting to stay up?

Phil answered: Having tipped them to be relegated before the start of the season, I have been very pleasantly surprised at what Rob Edwards and his team have brought to the Premier League.

We can discount results like Saturday's beating at Manchester City because their season was never going to be shaped by those games.

They have been bold and exciting to watch. If the art of good management is getting the best out of what you have at your disposal, then Edwards has done an outstanding job.

Obviously, points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest will play a part but Luton still have games where they will feel they can get something.

I am looking forward to reporting on their home game against Everton in that great Kenilworth Road atmosphere.

We asked for your thoughts on Manchester City's 5-1 victory over Luton on Saturday.

Here are some of your answers:

Manchester City fans

Nigel: Credit to Luton Town, they put up a strong defence and at one point they looked like they could draw but they faded at the end. Another good win for City, closing the goal difference gap. Let's see Madrid off on Wednesday and kick on for the Treble.

Martin: City dominated this game from start to finish and should have been well out of sight by half time. Several top players rested and system slightly tweaked. Doku is still raw but had an excellent game as did Kovacic. Luton rarely troubled City and scored to lax City distribution. Another vital three points and job done.

Luton fans

Christian: Proud of the club. Played four at the back - one centre half, two left wing backs and a winger/forward as everyone else was injured and there literally were no other alternatives. The two late subs had to put down their homework books before they came off the bench! Next five games are massive. All games where we can get points. Been a proud Hatter all year.

Sue: So proud of our players, they believe in themselves and each other. We are not down and out by a long shot. With some of our injured players ready to come back I still believe we will stay up.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Manchester City v Luton Town

Bournemouth v Manchester United

Rob Edwards speaking to Match of the Day after Luton's loss to Manchester City: “It proved to be [a difficult game].

“A long afternoon, the longest game of football I have ever had.

“We are really depleted at the moment, it was a difficult afternoon for us. The players gave everything and we didn’t get off to the best of starts.

“A great save for Thomas and then a deflected volley off Daiki Hashioka's head. They wore us down in the end but I cannot fault the players – it is done.

“We now have five huge games that we can get ourselves out of it, we almost have to write this off.

“They scored three worldies, there was lots of shots and Thomas had to make some saves.

“We kept going and they got the last couple later on when they wore us down. The players never dropped their heads and we wont accept that. What gives me belief is our fans right with us till the end and we are going to need them."

On injury concerns: “We have one fit centre-back at the moment. To go up against City it was always going to be difficult.

“One of our strongest strengths we have such a together group and the spirit is there. It is the biggest defeat we have had this season.

“It will not change how we feel we will learn from it and it can make us better at a group – it will not knock us.

“We want to come to places like this and we want to come next year. We are in with a good chance of doing that . It’s learning from it and taking some of the positives - there was a few."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

Luton are now a point behind Nottingham Forest in the battle to stay up after Forest's 2-2 draw with Wolves.

But this was never a game manager Rob Edwards would have expected something from.

He practically said as much afterwards in the news conference.

The Luton fans who made the trip enjoyed themselves and made plenty of noise - these are the kind of games they would have been looking forward to, and perhaps fearful of, after last season's promotion.

Luton managed four shots, although they were good ones with Cauley Woodrow hitting the crossbar and Barkley finishing following a stepover after a City defensive mistake.

Luton's next game - at home to Brentford on 20 April - is huge.

• Manchester City extended their unbeaten home run in all competitions to 41 games (W35 D6), just one short of their club record of 42 between 1919 and 1921.

• Only Sheffield United (6) have conceded more own goals than Luton (4) in the Premier League this season. Daiki Hashioka’s own goal after 65 seconds in today’s match was the earliest in a Premier League came since Antolin Alcarez with Everton against Southampton in April 2014 (54 seconds).

• This was Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s 150th Premier League home match in charge. He’s won 117 of these (78%), the highest win rate for any manager with at least 10 home games in charge.

• Luton’s Ross Barkley scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season – only in 2013-14 (6) and 2015-16 (8) has he netted more in a campaign.

• Manchester City’s Erling Haaland became just the third player to score 20+ goals in both of his first two Premier League campaigns, after Andrew Cole (1993-94, 1994-95) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (first 3 in 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04).

Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for at least a day with a predictably dominant victory over struggling Luton Town.

City led after only 65 seconds at Etihad Stadium when Erling Haaland's wayward volley hit Luton's Daiki Hashioka before flying into the net.

It took City more than an hour to double their lead through Mateo Kovacic's sweet, rising strike from near the edge of the area.

Haaland put the game beyond any doubt with a penalty after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Fred Onyedinma.

Just after City made a double change, Ross Barkley took advantage of a Matheus Nunes mistake to pull one back for the Hatters.

But Doku cut in from the left to slot a fine solo goal into the bottom corner.

The impressive Doku set up City's fifth as he picked out Josko Gvardiol, who slammed a beauty into the top corner - the defender's second goal in a week having not scored for City before that.

City are two points clear at the top, although Liverpool - at home to Crystal Palace - and Arsenal, who host Aston Villa, can move back above them on Sunday.

Luton remain in the relegation zone.

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