Luton Town

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards speaking to BBC MOTD after his side's first win of the season over Everton: "I'm very proud of everyone and delighted for the football club. It's off our backs now.

"It was a little while coming but we believed it was coming and we were improving in every game. It was a difficult game for us but let's not get carried away.

"It's nice to score from set-pieces because we worked hard from them and I thought we were a threat. I had a conversation with the players and I was really pleased because we had to make some changes at the back.

"The commitment from the players has never been in question. I saw another level of performance again and I want to keep that going.

"We showed a lot of that last season to get to where we are. Every single game it's non-negotiable. But I'm seeing a team that's learning and evolving all the time. I like the journey we're on at the moment and we're progressing.

"A real threat. I was delighted for Alfie Doughty, it's nice. He needs to keep his feet on the floor and working hard."

• This was Luton’s first ever Premier League victory, in what was their sixth game of the season. It is the Hatters’ first away victory in the top-tier since a 2-1 success at Aston Villa in March 1991.

• This was the second earliest that Everton trailed 2-0 at home to a promoted side in the Premier League (32nd minute), after November 2010 against West Bromwich Albion (26th minute).

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted his 49th Premier League goal, with 11 of those coming against newly promoted sides – only Duncan Ferguson (16) and Leon Osman (14) have recorded more such strikes for the Toffees in the competition.

• Carlton Morris is the first player to score three goals in his first six Premier League games whilst playing for a promoted side since Teemu Pukki for Norwich in the 2019-20 campaign (six goals).

• Tom Lockyer has scored four goals in his last 10 league games, as many as in his previous 163 such matches. The defender has scored five league goals in 2023, with only Carlton Morris netting more for the Hatters (13).

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer speaking to Premier League Productions: "Just look at the pictures at the end. The fans have been incredible with us since the start of the season.

"We had a few performances where we weren't at our best and they were with us. It's special. You can see they know we will give everything for the shirt."

On his goal: "It doesn't matter how [the goals] go in. I hoped if I just gambled it would happen again and they all count."

On his black eye: "I just got a knock to my eye and it just affected my movement a little bit. It was a whack on the eyeball more than anything."

Luton Town striker Carlton Morris: "They are quite good at defending set-pieces but it's a strength of ours. It's something we did well on last season and brought into this one.

"It's all about momentum. It's huge in football. We've had a few tough results. It feels really good today but not too good. We don't want to get too high.

"We have to work hard and be at it. We will keep cool heads but use that momentum going into the next few games."

Luton Town claimed an historic first Premier League victory by shocking forlorn Everton at Goodison Park.

Everton were the better side early on with Dwight McNeil firing a volley narrowly wide and each of James Garner, Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana failing to hit the target from promising positions.

Luton held out before taking a shock lead in fortuitous circumstances when Carlton Morris' header rattled the crossbar andy, as Ashley Young looked to clear, the ball cannoned off captain Tom Lockyer and into the net.

The Hatters were in dreamland when they doubled their lead as Morris kept his composure to side-foot in a volley from Alfie Doughty's free-kick when left unmarked at the back post.

In an action-packed first half, Garner headed against the crossbar and the Toffees did manage to pull a goal back through Dominic Calvert-Lewin from close range, which was awarded after a long check for offside by VAR.

The Englishman struck a volley wide in the second period and substitute Beto twice headed over, while at the other end Morris had an effort ruled out for offside, as the visitors held on for a famous win.

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There are eight games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we'll bring you every moment.

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

His opponent for this weekend's fixtures is Arsenal fan and actor Jazzie Zonzolo, star of new film Sumotherhood.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

It is two wins on the bounce now for Everton and I loved how Sean Dyche approached their Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa in midweek - he picked a strong team and he got his reward.

Last weekend's win at Brentford was a huge result for the Toffees to kickstart their season and Dyche wanted to maintain their momentum at Villa - and now that confidence will carry on into this game too.

Luton did things differently with their tie against League One side Exeter - they made 10 changes and lost.

At least the Hatters are off the mark in the Premier League after picking up a point against Wolves last time out, but their wait for a first win goes on.

I can't see them getting anything at Goodison Park, to be honest. Their gameplan will be to frustrate Everton, but Dyche has options up front now Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit and in form. He could even play Beto alongside him too.

Jazzie's prediction: 2-0

Find out the predictions for the rest of the weekend's matches

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has spoken to the media before their Premier League match at Everton on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say:

• Ross Barkley, Gabriel Osho, Dan Potts and Jordan Clark are all unavailable for Saturday's match.

• Albert Sambi Lokonga has injured his hamstring, and is back with his parent club Arsenal to recuperate.

• After concerns about his fitness, club captain Tom Lockyer is available to play at the weekend.

• On Saturday's opponents, who got their first league win of the season at Brentford last weekend, Edwards said: "They’re a good team with good players and an experienced manager. I think the performances have been there, they’ve just not got the results. They’re hard-working, organised and athletic. It's a big challenge for us.

• He added: "They’ll look to play on the front foot early, get their attacking players in the game and look to engage their supporters. We’ve got to be ready for that fast start and their aggressive nature."

• Edwards said his team have "become more competitive" since the start of their Premier League journey, adding: "There's no doubt against Brighton and Chelsea we gave too many big chances away. We have stopped doing that in the last three games. If people want to look at the games and look at the numbers, you will see improved performances, no doubt."

• The Hatters boss said he has got "decisions to make" on his team selection based on the midweek Carabao Cup loss to Exeter City: "There was some good individual performances. I was really pleased with our midfield two. Teden Mengi on his debut was very good, and Joe Johnson in the first half as well. There was some positives there on a difficult night."

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What does it feel like as a player when you make the jump from the Championship to the Premier League?

When you are in the Championship, you are playing with confidence. You want to take the ball, are bossing teams and scoring goals. It means the strikers feel comfortable.

In the Premier League you only get one hit and maybe you have not scored in five games. Your defenders are under constant pressure to make mistakes. You are not as comfortable on the ball because the press is better and the opponents are understanding where you are going to go next. The opposing players are just so much more savvy.

Over the past few seasons, you had six or seven heavyweights at the top of the Championship that had the benefit of parachute payments and also had Premier League experience in their ranks because they had been up and then down.

But this year look at Burnley, who have completely changed the team with their recruitment and managed to get promoted. Luton have come up but they have no real Premier League experience. Sheffield United have a couple of players filtered in with Premier League experience but not that many. That’s the difference. In previous years, teams could adapt more quickly.

For instance a team like Fulham who had already been up down up down, compared with Luton Town and their minute budget.

Take Nottingham Forest last year. They spent more than £100m at the start and they still found it really tough at the start and only just got over the line. These clubs are trying to do it without anything like the same financial outlay.

• This is the first meeting between Everton and Luton in any competition since October 2007, with the Toffees winning a League Cup tie 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

• After their 3-1 win at Brentford, Everton are looking to pick up successive league wins for only the second time since the start of last season, previously doing so in September/October 2022 against West Ham and Southampton.

• Luton are yet to win in the Premier League in five games (D1 L4); in their Football League history, only in 1959-60 (7 games), 1971-72 (7 games) and 1974-75 (9 games) have they ever failed to win their opening six or more matches of a campaign.

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 48th Premier League goal in Everton’s 3-1 win over Brentford, and two goals in this game would see him become only the fourth player to score 50 in the competition for the Toffees, along with Romelu Lukaku (68), Duncan Ferguson (60) and Tim Cahill (56).

• In Luton’s last game against Wolves, Alfie Doughty created four chances for Jacob Brown – all within the first 20 minutes of the game – the most from one player to another in a Premier League game this season. In contrast, in 125 minutes of playing alongside one another this season, Brown is yet to make a single pass to Doughty.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town missed an opportunity to build confidence in the Carabao Cup against Exeter City, says former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman, after boss Rob Edwards' 10 changes failed to pay off.

The Hatters did bring on first-team regulars such as Carlton Morris and Amari'i Bell in the second half, but ultimately slumped to defeat against a side two divisions below.

Having taken just one point from five games in the Premier League, Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast it was a mistake not to go with the strongest XI.

"Sometimes results are more important than giving players game time," he said. "They are a frail team at the moment and really struggling in the Premier League.

"They are lacking in confidence and they sent their kids out against an outfit that would be gunning for them.

"Yes, players came on and tried to change the game, but confidence is everything. They needed to get wins in the cup and start building from there."

More reaction on BBC Sounds

Rob Edwards after Luton Town were stunned by League One side Exeter City in the Carabao Cup third round:

"It was a disappointing night for us, clearly. Congratulations to Exeter, I have got to say that. With all of the possession we had, we didn't look like we were going to score.

"We need to be better, more aggressive, more clinical and have more desire to create chances and, when we do, be more ruthless.

"We can't keep saying the same things. We have been sucker-punched out of a mistake on our part and we have not had the quality or desire to get the ball over the line. Ultimately, we got punished and don't deserve to go through.

"I do want more. There wasn't a lack of commitment or effort - I would never label that at our group - but I want to see more quality in that final third.

"As the game started opening up, we started to cause more problems for them, but they defended the box very well with high numbers and that is difficult to break down.

"We wanted to go deep into the competition, but we needed to make the changes we made."

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin speaking to BBC Sport: "The bottom three in the Premier League looks ominous for those who support the underdogs.

"Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town are marooned on a single point each, which is worrying this early.

"It is hard enough staying in the Premier League after coming up, but giving all the other sides a start is the worst of all possible worlds.

"To stay up, you need to get more than a point per game throughout the season which already looks like a tall order if you only have one point from the first five or six games.

"There is however the outstanding fixture which wasn't played yet, Luton v Burnley at the Hatters' stadium on 3 October. The winner will have a big advantage going forward.

"For all the excitement at the top end, Luton's draw against Wolves was my own personal highlight of the Premier League weekend.

"I couldn't cope with them being on zero points, as that doughnut was beginning to look embarrassing. Maybe this precious point will give them the lift they need…maybe."

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

While the media and fans of the Premier League quibble about how much the promoted sides should be spending, Luton Town fans saw the first full run out of Chiedozie Ogbene, who achieved his first 90 minutes in a the shirt against Wolves, following on from his energetic cameo against Fulham.

Chieo, who became a history-maker by becoming the first Africa-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland national team, is the perfect example that sometimes good scouting can trump throwing money around willy-nilly.

The Hatters have always had a proclivity of doing astute business in the free agent market, although Ross Barkley has not yet been able to show his best form because of injury.

Looking back at some of the previous free transfers Luton have plucked from the football pyramid...

Jordan Clark, from Accrington, who scored the goal in the play-off final, Amari'i Bell who has been ever present since joining from Blackburn Rovers. And Tom Lockyer from Charlton Athletic, who has been an absolute warrior at the back for.

After his fine performance against Wolves, which included four created chances, 92% pass accuracy as well as tracking back and mucking in defensively, Chieo left the pitch to raucous applause from those at the Kenny.

It looks like the recruitment team at Luton Town have again unearthed an absolute gem without a huge initial transfer outlay, to the dismay of all the fans who observe Premier League football from their sofas around the globe.

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Former Burnley winger Andros Townsend offers a more positive perspective on Luton Town's start to the season.

Listen to the full Monday Night Club episode on BBC Sounds

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Chiedozie Ogbene is hoping to build on his full debut for Luton Town and wants another chance to impress boss Rob Edwards and Hatters fans.

The Republic of Ireland international played his first 90 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolves.

"I was 100% happy [with my performance against Wolves] because I wanted to make a good first impression of myself, to show them that I am here - and want to work hard for this team and this club," he said.

"I was hoping to display my character with my performance and I hope I did that for them.

"When I was on the pitch I just wanted to work as hard as I can to show the manager he can trust me and also my team-mates.

"It has been a lot of hard work [since the summer]. There was obviously a change of scenery with moving down to a new club, trying to earn the manager's trust and getting in the team, which is really difficult at this level.

"Physically I am in a better place than I was last year and I continue to grow."

Ogbene tapped into an empty net in the final stages against Wolves, but what would have been the winner was ruled out for offside. Despite only taking a point, he is confident the Hatters' first win of the season will come.

"It was a step forward from where we have been, especially from the start of the season. The mentality is if you can't win, you don't lose - and we did that."

Image source, Getty Images

Seventeen Premier League teams are in Carabao Cup action this week and all will harbour hopes of making it through.

Should they manage it, the draw for the fourth round will take place about 22:15 BST on Wednesday, 27 September, following the game between Newcastle United and Manchester City.

The ties will then be played in the week commencing Monday, 30 October.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

I was at Luton Town's draw with Wolves at Kenilworth Road on Saturday and spoke to people at the club about the situation they find themselves in.

Bottom line, they want to avoid relegation. They have battled against the odds and succeeded for years, and see no reason to change that mentality.

However, there is also a realism about budgets, about recruitment - Luton came up via the play-offs so had less time to plan than Burnley or Sheffield United - and the new ground at Power Court that needs to be paid for.

It is a delicate balance.

On Saturday, they were good enough to beat Wolves. But it was Wolves who had the touch of class through Pedro Neto to open the scoring and Luton needed a controversial penalty to get their first point.

It cannot be overstated how important games against clubs round them will be. Wolves, Everton on Saturday and Burnley next Tuesday will give Luton a decent idea of what they can achieve this season.

We asked for your views on Saturday's game between Luton and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Steven: Excellent performance from the Hatters today. No costly mistakes and much the better team. We just need to get that ball in the net. Improving all the time.

Graham: We did enough regarding possession and chances. With the dominance we had in the first half, we should have been ahead at half-time. On a positive note, it's our first point of the season in the Premier League. If we continue to make chances like we did today, some teams are going to definitely get a good beating.

Muaz: I think we are getting better and better. A couple of missed opportunities but that's to be expected from us. I'm glad we got our first point of the season. Soon we will become better and go big against the big teams. People like Garth Crooks and Chris Sutton doubt us, but I don't doubt you. So, let's go Hatters!

Chris: Pretty much controlled the match but needed a bit more creativity and movement in the final third, also some better crosses. We're getting there, Ogbene was excellent on his first start.

Wolves fans

Stefan: Dire, absolutely dire. Two pub teams battling out a draw, which on the day was a fair result. One moment of genius from the only quality player out there today was cancelled out by a penalty, which was at best unfair. VAR again stopping Wolves obtaining points. Championship next year is a distinct possibility.

Sarah: We have no discipline, giving away penalties and picking up cards all the time, this needs to change! Where's our winning spirit and the drive to go for goal and earn the win? Carry on at this rate, we'll be in a relegation battle for sure or, worst case scenario, relegated.

Mark: No point blaming VAR for this one. Luton wanted it more, plain and simple. It's not the first time petulance has let us down either. If we don’t improve our discipline, we’ll be back at Kenilworth next season in the Championship.

Barbara: Terrible performance! Couldn't keep possession. If we struggled against a bottom-of-the-table team today, I'm really not looking forward to Man City next week. Neto did really well but I can't see us hanging onto him.