Luton Town

Erling Haaland scored five in a stunning display of finishing as holders Manchester City thrashed Luton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

It was the Norwegian's eighth hat-trick for City and he also became the first player to score five in a game twice for the club.

City opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Kevin de Bruyne, who assisted the first four goals, was allowed time and space to cut the ball back for Haaland to convert.

The pair combined again 15 minutes later, with Haaland running on to a through ball before powering it past Luton goalkeeper Tim Krul and it was a similar move that brought the third, only this time with a delicate dink to finish.

Jordan Clark pulled one back for Luton with a stunning strike, curled beautifully into the top corner from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time and gave Rob Edwards' side hope of a memorable comeback with a thumping finish seven minutes into the second half.

However, Pep Guardiola's team soon dashed those hopes when De Bruyne squared for Haaland to tap into an empty net after a superb pass from Kyle Walker had sent the Belgium midfielder clear.

Haaland got his fifth - matching his effort against RB Leipzig in last season's Champions League last 16 - when the low shot went straight through Krul, who then saw a long-range strike from Mateo Kovacic flash past him for the visitors' sixth.

Luton had opportunities in the second half with Stefan Ortega, starting in place of Ederson for City, forced into action a number of times. City might easily have added to their lead at the other end but once Haaland was replaced with 15 minutes to go, there was not the same ruthlessness and the hosts were spared any further punishment.

Were you at Kenilworth Road or following the match from elsewhere?

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

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

Follow all of the reaction here

There are three games being played in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the quarter finals of the FA Cup will take place on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT, before Chelsea's tie with Leeds United, which kicks off at 19:30.

It will be live on ITV4 and you can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, will conduct the draw.

The ball numbers will be:

1. Blackburn Rovers or Newcastle United

2. Chelsea or Leeds United

3. Bournemouth or Leicester City

4. Liverpool or Southampton

5. Nottingham Forest or Manchester United

6. Wolverhampton Wanderers or Brighton & Hove Albion

7. Coventry City

8. Luton Town or Manchester City

BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for this week's FA Cup fifth-round ties. For all eight games he is up against Kaiser Chiefs bassist and Leeds fan Simon Rix.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

I didn't expect Manchester City to start reminding me of George Graham's Arsenal side of the 1990s, but they are winning ugly at the moment, with back-to-back 1-0 victories.

Luton gave City a good game at Kenilworth Road before Christmas - when they led 1-0 at half-time before losing 2-1 - and I think Hatters boss Rob Edwards will go for it again here, despite having Premier League survival to think about.

I am expecting City to edge it again this time, although I am not quite sure what team their manager Pep Guardiola will put out.

He killed my fantasy team at the weekend because I had picked Kyle Walker, Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku, and all three started the game on the bench.

One of City's strengths is the way they can rotate and still be so strong. Luton have got a goal in them, but it won't be enough.

Simon's prediction: 1-3

Luton have been doing well recently but how does Guardiola feel about the FA Cup? He probably wants to win it again, so he is going to pick a strong side. Luton might get a goal because it's a cup tie, but City will win.

See the full list of predictions

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Luke Berry says Luton "don’t want to be one-season wonders" and are "more than capable" of fighting relegation to remain in the Premier League.

The 31-year-old, who signed from Cambridge in 2017, has gained promotion three times with the Hatters during his seven-year stint at the club.

"Every league is tricky," said Berry to BBC Look East.

"It’s the speed, it increases and the mistakes you make you get punished. It’s relentless. You can’t switch off for any moment. Top sides will find problems so you have to stay switched on.

"But we don’t fear anything. It’s not making those silly mistakes that you get away with in the lower leagues.

"We don’t want to be one-season wonders. We have the depth, we have players who aren’t in the squad who are competing. We are capable of winning two or three games on the bounce.

"We are more than capable of staying up. The points will come by being us."

Here are the key facts and figures before Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Luton Town and Manchester City:

• This is the first FA Cup meeting between Luton and Manchester City since January 1969, with City winning a third-round tie 1-0 at Maine Road.

• City are unbeaten in their past nine meetings with Luton in all competitions (W5 D4), with their 2-1 win at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League this season their only previous meeting with the Hatters this century.

• Luton are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1993-94. They have gone out at the fifth round twice since then - against Millwall in 2012-13 and against Chelsea in 2021-22.

• Manchester City have reached the FA Cup quarter-final in all but one of their seven previous campaigns under Pep Guardiola. The only failure was in 2017-18, when they lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic in the fifth round.

• This is the first time Luton have an FA Cup tie against the holders of the competition since 1986-87, when they eliminated Liverpool after two replays in the third round.

• Manchester City have won each of their past eight FA Cup matches by an aggregate score of 25-1. They have won 32 of their 38 games under Pep Guardiola in the competition (D1 L5), with four of their five defeats coming in the semi-final.

Relegation-threatened Premier League teams have been handed a bombshell after it was announced Everton have retrieved on appeal four of the 10 points they were deducted for breaching Premier League financial rules.

Pending the other charges both they and Nottingham Forest are facing, the Toffees have moved above Forest and Brentford into 15th place and opened up a five point cushion over Luton in 18th - the final relegation place.

Both the Bees and the Hatters have a game in hand over Sean Dyche's side, but the latest update in this saga has put the Toffees back into the driving seat in the relegation battle and will leave Thomas Frank and Nuno Espirito Santo looking nervously over their shoulders.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton manager Rob Edwards says his side "don't want to rely on factors out of our control" in response to Everton's points deduction being reduced on appeal on Monday.

The Toffees were handed back four of the 10 points they were deducted for breaching Premier League financial rules, moving them five points above the Hatters.

"I've spoken openly with the boys and said we're not looking at the points deductions," Edwards said before Tuesday's FA Cup tie at home to Manchester City.

"Our task hasn’t changed so I don’t see us having to pick anyone up at all. It makes no real difference, we were in the bottom three before and we still are.

"The situation is the same from our point of view. Deductions can't be the thing that keeps us in the league, we've got to keep it in our own hands. But it's good to have a bit of clarity."

Luton have been the best of the three promoted clubs but still find themselves in the bottom three, four points behind Nottingham Forest, who, along with Everton, still face further charges of breaching profitability and sustainability rules for the 2022-23 season.

Edwards does not want that to enter his side's thinking as they battle for survival.

"Maybe [the players will think about that], it's human nature but we can't control that," he added. "This is a difficult league, it's been tough from day one. [There are] more charges but that is completely out of our hands. If we don't do our job then it doesn't matter.

"We're just four points behind Forest with a game in hand. We're in the mix. It's not changed our task.

"We have got to make sure we get enough points to stay in league, whatever that may be."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Luton boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's FA Cup fifth round tie at home to holders Manchester City.

Here are the key lines form his news conference:

• Edwards said Luton's "attitude hasn't changed" and he does not see himself "having to pick anyone up" after it was announced Everton would be given four points back on appeal - moving them above the Hatters.

• When asked if his players might be thinking about a possible other points deduction for Everton and Nottingham Forest, he said: "Maybe, it's human nature. We can't control that. We can't bank on that or use it. That's completely out of our control. What is (in our control) is how hard we work, the commitment to what we do."

• Edwards is keen to focus on what is in his control: "These are difficult questions because it is very new and I've not experienced it before. But it is hypothetical at the moment. We have to focus on ourselves."

• He thinks more transparency is needed for future points deductions: "I won't comment on what could happen in the future but clarity on the number of points (would be good). That would help everyone. As for going forward that stuff is out of our control. Nothing to do with me at the moment."

• He confirmed that Alfie Doughty is fit to play after being taken off early against Liverpool and January signing Daiki Hashioka could be in line to feature for the first time since joining from Belgian side Sint-Truiden in January.

• Issa Kabore is unavailable to face his parent club while Sambi Lokonga and Elijah Adebayo will miss out with hamstring injuries.

• On facing Manchester City: "They’re the most difficult team we’ve played against at home. They can handle the ball in tight spaces, the detail of their passing was incredible, the timing was incredible. There are areas we can be better in. We are a better team from two months ago so we can take confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Edwards says the last few weeks in the Premier League have taken their toll but he believes his side still has the depth and the strength to avoid relegation.

Luton played and lost to Manchester United and Liverpool in the space of four days and now face Manchester City in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

"It takes its toll, physically it’s difficult to go against Manchester United and then back that up a few days later against Liverpool," Edwards told BBC Look East.

"It was so intense. These are the most difficult games you can get. It does take its toll, but it’s a brilliant challenge.

"We have the same size squad as everyone else. I believe in the group we have. We can cope."

The Hatters, who welcome Manchester City to Kenilworth Road after beating Everton 2-1 in the fourth round, know the challenge they face if they want to reach the quarter-finals.

"They’re the most difficult team we’ve played against at home," added Edwards.

"I know they were missing a few last time. But they can handle the ball in tight spaces, the detail of their passing was incredible, the timing was incredible.

"There are areas we can be better in. We are a better team from two months ago so we can take confidence."

You can listen to live match commentary of Luton's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 19:45 GMT

We asked you for your thoughts on Wednesday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Luton.

Here are are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Vin: Now that’s what you call a game of two halves. First half was wasteful and too frantic in the last third. Second half we came out of the blocks with more intent, with composure to match. The crowd was driven on by the players and the players were driven on by the crowd. It made for a difficult atmosphere for Luton to try and play in. A good night.

Alan: Poor finishing first half but upped the tempo and swept Luton aside in the second half. Lively performance from Elliott. Gomez again was immense but Mac Allister was the stand out. Good warm up for Chelsea but need to keep the tempo high.

Stuart: In the reverse fixture we had a strong team and could not win. What a performance from this group of players. Gomez's versatility, Endo's endeavour, Mac Allister's vision. Backed up by the super, young members of the squad, and all front three players scored! I really enjoyed the second half, it was incredible stuff.

Sonny: Let's say it as it is shall we? We were terrible in the first half. Simple as that. But when you factor in Klopp's half-time team talk, we could give any game a go no matter the score line. We are the first club in Europe's big five leagues to have five players score 10 goals in all competitions and you can see why! Once again, the Reds are victorious!

Luton fans

Roby: Given the so called 'whipping boys' and relegated by Christmas tag we have really put up a good fight. To lead until the 56th minute wasn't bad. We have many injured stars, so do Liverpool. The difference is we can't afford the squad they have as back up. We have surprised a lot of critics with wonderful displays against Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea.

Kevin: Great performance from the Town, missing key players from the start was a big hurdle (ours more significant to us than those missing for Liverpool), as was losing players during the game. We won the first half but the match being so close to the Sunday evening game did us no favours as we had tired bodies and minds. More questionable decisions from the ref.

Tony: We keeping making big individual mistakes at the back, if we do not improve we will go down.

Sue: OK, that leaves us with Man City and then we can really start to concentrate on the league. The players didn’t let themselves down, they were true to their belief in themselves and love for each other. The rest of the other teams that are coming after us, you need to watch out because I mean it - they really are going to stay up. I believe it.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton boss Rob Edwards says his side were "suffocated" by Liverpool in the second-half of their 4-1 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Hatters led 1-0 at half-time but were overrun after the break with Jurgen Klopp's team scoring four times without reply.

"We just made them angry I think didn't we," Edwards said post-match.

"Second-half I think we just saw Anfield, saw Liverpool, saw that full-throttle football. Their counter-pressing was incredible, suffocated us.

"Fans were amazing and it was probably difficult for the players to really concentrate. The real threat came from their counter-pressing, their intensity, it really put us on the back foot.

"Clearly I'm disappointed to concede from a corner and a throw in as well, those are the bits we know we can improve on, especially in that noise when your mate next to you can't hear you. You've got to be able to deal with those situations better.

"But, bigger and better teams have come here and that's sort of happened to them as well so it's not a disgrace.

"It was like the Kop was just sucking it in and we couldn't really get out. We saw Anfield and Liverpool at it's best, I thought they were brilliant."

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Luton manager Rob Edwards has already exceeded most people's expectations for how the club would cope with the Premier League this season.

Few fancied the Hatters to be putting up a serious fight to stay in the top-flight after they earned promotion via the Championship play-offs last summer.

But with 13 games left to play, Luton are third from bottom and only in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Picking up points at Liverpool would likely have been regarded as a bonus for Edwards, but he and the travelling fans had the chance to dream when Chiedozie Ogbene's goal had them leading at half time.

Despite being massively depleted by injury, Liverpool fought back and cruised to victory with goals from Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott getting them over the line.

More important fixtures are to come in the next few weeks for Luton, though, with games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest - all placed in the bottom eight - meeting the Hatters in March.

Picking up results against those three clubs could prove season-defining as Luton scrap, as they did in the opening 45 minutes against Liverpool, for each and every valuable point on offer.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton boss Rob Edwards, speaking to BBC Sport: "I wasn't surprised how the first half went. In the second half we played into their hands and their counter pressing was incredible, we experienced that full throttle football.

"We have got a way of playing that doesn't make it comfortable for teams. We continue to build and go in the right direction. We will learn from our mistakes tonight.

"We have to learn from it and take it. The second half was difficult. We have to bounce back.

"We knew today was going to be a really big task. We showed for long periods we are a good team and we can compete."

The key facts and figures after Liverpool's win over Luton Town in the Premier League.

• Liverpool have recovered 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side, and their joint-most in a single campaign in the competition (also 22 in 2008-09).

• Luton are one of two sides, along with Sheffield United, yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season. The Hatters have shipped 29 goals in 12 away games in the division this season, the joint-most of any side, along with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

• In Mo Salah (19), Diogo Jota (14), Darwin Nunez (13), Cody Gakpo (11), and Luis Diaz (10), Liverpool are the first club in Europe's big-five leagues to have five players reach 10+ goals in all competitions this season. In fact, the Reds also became the first side from Europe's big-five leagues to score 100 goals in all competitions in 2023-24.

• Since the start of 2018-19, Virgil van Dijk has scored 18 Premier League goals, at least four more than any other defender. 12 of those have come at Anfield - the most of any Liverpool defender at home in the competition, surpassing Sami Hyypia's 11.

• Only Arsenal (13) have scored more headed goals in the Premier League this season than Luton (12), with Chiedozie Ogbene the seventh different Hatters player to score a header in the league this campaign.

• With an average age of 25 years and 68 days, Liverpool named their youngest starting XI for a Premier League game since February 2018 against Southampton (24y 355d).

Liverpool moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after coming from behind to beat Luton at Anfield.

Luton led at half time through Chiedozie Ogbene's header as Liverpool, and Luis Diaz in particular, spurned chance after chance.

The Reds were rampant after the break and their pressure paid off when captain Virgil van Dijk showed desire and determination to get his side on level terms by powering home a header from a 56th-minute corner.

Just two minutes later Liverpool led as Cody Gakpo nodded in from close range as Alexis Mac Allister fired in a cross from the byline.

Diaz, with his ninth shot of the game, finally got his reward for relentless work with the third goal in the 71st minute.

The Colombian danced his way into the box and coolly side-footed beyond Thomas Kaminski at the near post to give the hosts some breathing space on what had initially looked like a night when they could slip up in the title race.

Harvey Elliott, making his 100th appearance for the club, rounded off a fine second half when he pounced on a loose ball in the 90th minute to claim the fourth.

It made it three wins on the bounce for Liverpool after losing 3-1 at Arsenal last month and built further momentum as they gear up for Sunday's EFL Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Jurgen Klopp's men boast a four-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City, although they have played a game more than the defending champions, while Luton remain third from bottom.

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

Liverpool 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

Liverpool are hosting Luton Town in the Premier League and kick-off is less than an hour away.

For team news and all the build-up, head to our live coverage here