Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards speaking to BBC Sport: "There is a little bit of comfort when we come back like that. What we can guarantee is that we will leave it all out there.

"That was an incredible performance out there today and I'm immensely proud of the football club today.

"It was difficult. Chelsea defended well. We tried to do the right thing but they are a very good team. We changed the dynamic at half-time, made some brave attacking substitutions.

"I really liked us today. We had big spells in that game and created a load of chances against a top team."

"[We just had to] keep believing, keep going, that is all we can do at that stage [at 3-0 down]. They were scrambling. We just couldn't quite get the ball over the line.

"We have been playing well consistently for a while now. We have changed the narrative a little bit around ourselves.

"You can see the growth and evolution in the team. I believe in this group."

• Chelsea have won their last five games against Luton in all competitions, their joint-longest such run against the Hatters, after a five-game run in December 1974.

• Luton have lost three of last four home games in the Premier League (W1), conceding three or more at Kenilworth Road for just the second time in the competition (also lost 4-3 to Arsenal).

• Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has both scored and assisted in four different Premier League games this season, more than any other player. Only two players have ever scored and assisted in more Premier League games in a single season for the Blues than Palmer - Mason Mount (6 in 2021-22) and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink (5 in 2000-01).

• Cole Palmer became the fifth Chelsea player to reach double figures for goal involvements (8G 4A) in a single Premier League season while aged 21 or under, after Arjen Robben (2004-05), Eden Hazard (2012-13), Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount (both 2019-20).

• Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino remains unbeaten in Premier League away games against promoted sides (P21 W19 D2), winning each of his last five.

• Luton’s Ross Barkley scored his first Premier League goal against Chelsea, in his 10th appearance against the Blues. He is the 28th player to score against Chelsea in the competition having previously played for them, three more than any other side.

Chelsea survived a late fightback from Luton to claim an important win in a thrilling game at Kenilworth Road.

The Blues started the match brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute, a poor clearance from Luton's Issa Kabore handing the ball to Cole Palmer for the forward to drill low into the far corner past Thomas Kaminski.

Palmer was in the mix again as Chelsea doubled their lead when his pass set up Noni Madueke, who dribbled past Amari'i Bell and smashed the ball into the top corner.

Good work from Nicolas Jackson set up Palmer, who stayed calm to score the Blues' third in the second half.

Luton thought they had pulled a goal back through Elijah Adebayo, but his header was ruled out for offside in the build-up before Ross Barkley then scored a header from Alfie Doughty's corner.

Adebayo managed to find the net in the 87th minute with Luton's second, setting up a nervous final few minutes for the visitors, but Chelsea were able to hold on to take the points.

The victory marks Chelsea's second win in the space of a week as they look to climb up the Premier League table after a challenging 2023.

Were you at Kenilworth Road watching the action, or did you take in the game from home?

Luton fans - submit your post-match thoughts here.

How did you rate the Blues' performance, Chelsea fans?

Follow all the reaction here

There are six games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment of the action.

Follow all the incidents and reaction here.

All times are GMT.

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

For the fixtures taking place over the turn of the year, from 30 December to 2 January, he takes on Shed Seven singer and song-writer Rick Witter, who is a Manchester United fan.

Shed Seven's new album, A Matter of Time', is released on 12 January.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Luton are in the relegation zone but they have an identity and a cause, and they always look like they are excited about playing in the Premier League. I am not sure you can say the same about Chelsea, for all the money they spent in the summer transfer window.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino named the club's youngest-ever Premier League team in Wednesday's win over Crystal Palace, which came courtesy of a debatable late penalty. I'm not sure they deserved it, but at least it meant I got one of my predictions right about them for a change.

I favour Chelsea more than Luton here, because I don't think Luton can keep their intensity going after such a busy Christmas period - but I am going to go with a draw.

Rick's prediction: Luton have given a few teams a scare at Kenilworth Road but I am basing this on the fact Chelsea really need a win. It will be close though - I think it will be 1-1 for a while, then Chelsea will get a couple of late goals. 1-3

Read all of Sutton's predictions here

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's Premier League match against Chelsea on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The Hatters boss confirmed that Issa Kabore and Jordan Clark will both be available but that Marvelous Nakamba faces a spell on the sidelines after an operation on his meniscus.

• On the midfielder's injury, Edwards said: "It was an innocuous one, it came when he made a pass in training. We won't put a time frame on it, but it's not good and it will be some significant time. He'll see a specialist in a few weeks' time. It's frustrating for him and of course for us as he's a big, big player."

• Edwards confirmed the club are in discussions with Andros Townsend about extending the winger's contract.

• Asked about captain Tom Lockyer, who continues his recovery at home, he said: "I speak to him every day. He is progressing. He seems bored already, but in generally good spirits, which is really good."

• On how the team have reacted since the incident, he said: "I think we were tight already, I don't think it is because of what has happened that we've won two games of football. Performances have been good before that but they're an incredibly tight group - they're like a family."

• Edwards added: "Obviously one of the family had a really tough time a couple of weeks ago, so we all have to rally round each other, support each other and help. If that has brought us tighter, then good but the main thing is Tom in all of this."

• After Carlton Morris was subjected to alleged racism by a spectator against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Edwards said the striker "is OK" but added: "It happens so regularly he just said, 'it's like water off a duck's back'. I think that's really sad. I can't put myself into his position on this

  situation, but he's dealt with it very well."

• On facing Chelsea, he said: "We'll expect the best Chelsea as we expect the best of every team. We'll try to perform as well as we can and try to play to our strengths. We know at home we can be a match for anyone."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has told his players to expect "real football" when they travel to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town on Saturday.

The Blues are without a win on the road since beating Tottenham Hotspur in November, whereas the Hatters go into the game following their first back-to-back victories of the season.

Pochettino has warned his team to expect a fight and that the fixture appeals to the football fan within him.

"I'm an old man, I am romantic. I love football of the past and this kind of stadium makes you remember when I started to play," he said.

"It's a stadium that smells different. It's not luxury in the way that we recognise luxury today. This type of stadium is one where you love to be there. It's history, it's completely different.

"Today we are living in a different era, but when you go there, you feel real football.

"We need to go to Luton thinking that it's going to be really tough. The stadium, the fans, it's a team that loves to fight and work really hard.

"If we want to get a good result, we need to be ready of course to play football, but we need to match the desire, the capacity to fight for every single ball. It's going to be a good test for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town winger Andros Townsend says he is "having fun" on the pitch again after signing a short-term deal with the Hatters in the summer following a failed move to Burnley.

The former England winger expects his time with Luton will be extended beyond next month too.

"I've always loved my football but it's only when you have something taken away from you that you really appreciate every single moment," Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"If I give the ball away or if I hit the ball over the roof, which I did last week, I'm just having fun with it. I'm fit and healthy. I'm on the pitch. I'm back doing what I love and I'm contributing again. So, whatever happens [in January], I'm just enjoying it.

"There are talks going on in the background. If I was injured or not playing then I would be getting a bit twitchy right now. But I've started the majority of games, so I'm 99 per cent sure something will get sorted in terms of a longer deal."

The Hatters will be hoping to lift themselves out of the relegation zone with a third successive league win, against Chelsea, on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Townsend says "back-to-back wins are never easy in the Premier League" but the team "have their tails up" after recent results and are ready for another big game this weekend.

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• Luton won their last home league game against Chelsea, beating them 2-0 in December 1991. However, they lost the last time they hosted the Blues - a 3-2 FA Cup defeat in March 2022.

• The home side has won eight of the last 10 league meetings between Luton and Chelsea, with the exceptions being a 3-0 away win for Chelsea in December 1989, and a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge in April 1991.

• In each of Luton’s last three top-flight campaigns before this season, their final game of the calendar year was at home against Chelsea. They lost 3-0 in 1989, before 2-0 wins in both 1990 and 1991.

• Chelsea haven’t lost their final league game in any of the last 11 calendar years (W7 D4), since a 3-1 home loss against Aston Villa in 2011.

• Luton have won their last two Premier League games, as many as in their first 16 this season. They last won three consecutive top-flight matches in December 1991, the third game of which was against Chelsea.

• Chelsea have lost each of their last four Premier League away games, their longest losing run on the road since a run of five between October and December 2000 under Claudio Ranieri.

I think Luton's performance against Newcastle offered amazing scenes with amazing support on show for Tom Lockyer and rightly so.

It wasn’t just a smash-and-grab with a set piece, they created so many opportunities against them. They had a slice of luck with a poor goalkeeping error and against Sheffield United the deflected goals certainly went in their favour.

It doesn’t tell a true story but they are on a high, they are on a roll and what they have got is an amazing team ethic and desire. They are adding more quality as well, are growing in confidence and are impressing everybody with their limited resources.

All teams have spirit but they seem to have an exceptional understanding and togetherness. It is a sort of 'us against everyone else' mentality because nobody gave them a chance and they are enjoying that challenge of trying to prove everybody wrong.

At this moment there is no doubt that of the three promoted teams, Luton are the favourites to stay up. They have earned that title on merit.

Let’s be honest, nobody would have said they have the best chance of staying up and that just tells you about their spirit. They have determination among players, a way of playing and they are getting results away from home. You always knew at Kenilworth Road it would be a tough place for any team to visit, but they have also got some good wins on the road.

There is a long way to go and Luton just need to keep looking at the next game, keep doing what they are doing and try not to get too carried away. We have seen so many promoted teams in a good position and then after Christmas, your opponents work you out and second time around you don’t have it as easy.

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

What a difference a week makes.

This time last week we were cut adrift from the pack with nine points, our captain had been stretchered off and the fanbase and team were in shock about what had happened.

But now the team have banded together and pulled off back-to-back wins, against Newcastle and Sheffield United, the latter being a textbook six-pointer.

We now sit on 15 points, well within touching distance of the rest of a division that once appeared so far away.

Could we do the impossible and grab that third win in a row when Chelsea rock up to Kenilworth Road?

Our home performances have been sensational. And since the last time we met Chelsea, in our second game of the season we have grown very accustomed to the Premier League, our new signings have settled in, and our naiveties have all but gone.

As a side note, I’m delighted that my Christmas wishes I wrote about last week have been answered. I’m delighted that Tom is home and recuperating with his family.

I’m also sure he is delighted that the team not just pulled off a clean sheet, but they are putting teams to the sword and carrying his shirt around with them after every victory.

We asked you for your thoughts after Tuesday's match between Sheffield United and Luton Town.

Here are some of the top comments:

Sheffield United fans

John: I thought United fought back very well but were robbed by two very poor refereeing decisions. It was never a corner leading to the first “own goal” then a clear foul on Jack Robinson caused his “own goal”. Total travesty.

Tom: We were unlucky today in some ways but overall I think our league position is a fair reflection of our quality. This side just isn’t able to compete at this level. We look lost in possession and terrified when defending. We seem incapable of hanging on to a lead. I can't wait for this season to be over.

Chipper: No pressing for long spells and soaking up pressure like it's the UV rays of the Algarve. We know we can't defend set pieces and it was inevitable that we would face balls into the box from wide areas. Architects of our own demise. Utterly useless.

J: Three major issues: 1) The standard of refereeing is beyond poor. At 2-1 up, a situation that was “goal kick or foul” was given as an impossible corner. Why do we have VAR? 2) These players cannot handle adversity. Once that happened and the first own goal dropped in, the lack of response was what caused the 3-2. 3) We’re just not good enough.

Luton fans

Harish: Absolutely delighted with this win after coming from behind, well deserved. In previous matches, Lady Luck was not with us, but she was definitely with us today. Come on you Hatters!

Stephen: Never say “die”. Leave it all on the pitch. Want-to-win mentality. These are essential ingredients in Rob’s magic. Luton are now “getting” Premier League football but the season is long, hard, remorseless and without compassion. Go again against Chelsea in four days. Come On You Hatters!

Alexander: I can’t believe we’ve won that. Absolute class and resilience from every man in a Luton shirt. Barkley with a deserved man-of-the-match performance as well. We can consider ourselves lucky with the two own goals but we didn’t put our heads down and kept the pressure up after going down. Chelsea, we’re coming for you. Unlucky Sheffield.

Sue: The last two wins were always on the cards as our performances just get better every game. Last week was for Tom Lockyer - now we're winning because we are really good.

Image source, Getty Images

Beating Sheffield United on Boxing Day was a "monumental result" for Luton says former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly.

The Bramall Lane victory moves Rob Edwards' side to within a point of safety, with a game in hand on some of the teams above them.

The Hatters have won both games since captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "Sometimes is can be a horrendous moment like that that galvanises you as a group of players.

"Quality-wise I don’t think Luton are there when it comes to the Premier League and they can’t compete with the finances. But they compete with hard work, energy and desire.

"I still think they will struggle, but beating a team like Sheffield United away from home who are a direct rival for staying in this league is an absolutely monumental result for them. I know it’s such a cliche saying this was a six-pointer - but that was a massive one to win."

ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden thinks the Hatters do have a chance of staying in the top flight.

"Of the teams that came up, I think the one that has an outside chance is Luton," Ogden said.

"They have managed to blend the squad they had last year. They brought some players in and they have a tremendous spirit. Whether it’s the smallest budget and the smallest stadium, they have given it a go.

"You look at the teams above them and if I was Crystal Palace, I would be a little bit worried about Luton. Crystal Palace aren’t getting results and Luton have got something there. I think Luton have got a chance, but it’s an outside chance."

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Neil Johnston, BBC Sport

Luton's players celebrated in front of their own fans after an extraordinary win that strengthened their hopes of climbing out of trouble.

The Hatters remain in the bottom three but a second successive win leaves them one point from safety, with out-of-sorts Chelsea the visitors to Kenilworth Road on Saturday (12:30 GMT) as they hunt a third successive league win.

Luton will now believe survival is a real possibility going into the second half of the campaign.

Hatters boss Rob Edwards, who celebrated his birthday on Christmas Day, said: "It brings us closer to where we want to be. Back-to-back and within four days we have two thirds of the points we already had, it's big for us.

"We all know it was a big game, they all are, it was important and it was very, very special to do it in the end, one that we will remember for a long time.

“We have won these two games in a row, the performances are going the right way, we have been consistent for a long time and we are getting rewards for our performances."

Luton boss Rob Edwards, speaking to BBC Sport: "The second half was a rollercoaster of emotions. The first half I thought we were excellent. We had really good control.

"They adjusted at half time and covered the length of the pitch and made things a bit difficult for us.

"I can't credit the players enough to show that character. To be able to find a way, maybe with a bit of luck, but to turn it around the guys deserve credit.

"It has been a tough period as we all know. We have a structure and way of playing but I want the players to play with bravery and they have done it again.

"Goals are coming from everywhere. The performances lately have been brilliant.

"We are perhaps changing the narrative about ourselves but we have to back that up with performances.

"I do sense a belief and a confidence in the players. We are playing well at the moment and we want to keep it going. This is a special group."

• Sheffield United conceded two own goals in the same Premier League match for the first time. They became the first team to do so overall since Leicester City v Liverpool in December 2022. No team has conceded more own goals in the competition this season than the Blades (3).

• Luton Town came back to win a Premier League match after being behind for the first time. Prior to today, the Hatters had lost 11 and drawn two of the 13 matches in which they had went behind.

• Alfie Doughty scored his first Premier League goal in what was his 17th appearance in the top-flight. He was Luton Town’s 12th different scorer in the Premier League this season (excl. own goals) – only Newcastle United, Everton and Arsenal have had more different scorers this season (all three with 14).

• Sheffield United are only the second team to concede 47 or more goals after their first 19 matches of a Premier League season, and the first since Barnsley in 1997-98 (50 conceded).

• Only against Birmingham City (6) has Sheffield United’s Oliver McBurnie scored more league goals than he has against Luton Town in the top four tiers of English football, with McBurnie netting five league goals against the Hatters.