Summary

  • Luton to face either Middlesbrough or Coventry in final at Wembley on 27 May

  • Gabriel Osho and Tom Lockyer scored first-half goals as Luton won 2-0 in second leg and 3-2 on aggregate

  • Sunderland had won Saturday's first leg 2-1 at Stadium of Light

  1. Goodnightpublished at 22:20 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Rob Edwards congratulated by fans after play-off victoryImage source, Getty Images

    So we know Luton Town will be walking out at Wembley in the EFL Championship play-off final on Saturday, 27 May, after they overcame a gutsy Sunderland over two legs.

    The celebration will go on long into the night, I'm sure.

    Who will join them? Middlesbrough can salvage some north east pride if they can see off Coventry tomorrow night at the Riverside. But the Sky Blues - like Luton - are on a journey to relive past glories themselves, having been away for more than 20 years.

    We'll be with that one of course, and the rest of the EFL play-off matches throughout the divisions across the week, and the finals too.

    Join us tomorrow. It's all on. Until then. Goodnight.

  2. 'One more big push'published at 22:16 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    The players can savour the moment tonight, you have to celebrate, but there is still another game. I don't care who it is, Middlesbrough or Coventry, you have got to back yourself.

    After today's performance, especially the first half, I think Luton deserve to go up, but there's one more push, one more big effort, one game to go.

    They have given themselves a platform and building blocks towards playing against the world's best.

  3. Postpublished at 22:15 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 app)

    Tom Lockyer celebrates victoryImage source, Rex Features

    The excitement and relief at reaching Wembley is just one step further on the comeback journey for Luton Town fans, given everything they have suffered over the past 15 years.

    Relegations from Championship to non-league, huge points deductions for off-field issues, and the struggle to come back from the National League are something Luton are just starting to put behind them with their recent success, and the play-off final will be a huge day for Hatters fans.

    They missed out on the Premier League by a season, after relegation from the old Division One in 1991-92, and they now have a chance to put their name in the hat, quite aptly.

  4. Postpublished at 22:09 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Patrick Roberts dejectedImage source, Reuters

    Just twelve months ago, Sunderland were still battling to get back into the Championship, and now they've come within one game of a chance to get into the top flight.

    It's huge credit to the club, and in particular head coach Tony Mowbray who stepped in mid-season to pick up the pieces after Alex Neil's defection to Stoke.

    He stabilised the ship, got them playing and drove them up the league. His young team, including Patrick Roberts, Jack Clarke and Amad Diallo, will have grown up this year. Next year will be interesting, once the disappointment subsides.

  5. 'We had a chance to show the 'real' Luton'published at 22:07 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Luton striker Carlton Morris told Sky Sports:

    "That was the intention [to get an early goal], we had to start well, start sharp and do what we're capable of.

    "I've learned a lot how much this sort of stuff means to people at the club, it's a special moment.

    "We weren't at it at all in the first leg, and that's the thing it's two legs and we had an opportunity to show the 'real' us tonight.

    "No preference as to who we play, every team is a top team, we'll watch with interest who we get."

  6. 'A season to be proud of'published at 22:03 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Marco Gabbiadini
    Ex-Sunderland striker on BBC Radio Newcastle

    Luton were a lot more disciplined than they were on Saturday, they soaked up the pressure, they knew Sunderland's frailties, they worked on them and got their rewards. They were a shadow of tonight's side on Saturday.

    You have to be proud of the Sunderland performance. It's been an incredible season, a lot of setbacks but the team has reacted and kept moving forward, in the aftermath that's what will be reflected on.

    Tony Mowbray and the staff can take great pride in this season and putting in the performances the fans can be proud of.

    Sunderland were in that right until the last whistle...

  7. 'We had to be horrible and dirty'published at 22:03 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Luton skipper Tom Lockyer told Sky Sports:

    "Commiserations to Sunderland, it was an absolute battle over the two legs, we had to mix it up and be horrible and dirty and that's how we won the game.

    "The atmosphere was special, making it really tough for Sunderland to come here. We have to enjoy tonight, but we have one eye on the bigger picture."

    Tom Lockyer scores for LutonImage source, Rex Features
  8. Postpublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Rob Edwards is being mobbed by fans as he makes his way off the pitch, and how sweet for him? Sacked by Watford, into a play-off final with rivals Luton in the same season.

  9. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:58 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Luton Town win their first ever EFL play-off game to reach the Championship play-off final, with victory against Sunderland.

    They trailed 2-1 from the first leg but turned it round in the first half thanks to goals from Gabriel Osho and skipper Tom Lockyer.

    It makes up for the disappointment of last season when they lost to Huddersfield.

    Sunderland have done brilliantly to reach the play-offs in their first season back in the second tier. But it wasn't to be this season.

  10. 'It's a bit teary'published at 21:58 British Summer Time 16 May 2023

    FT: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    It's fantastic, your home town team getting to Wembley and being in with a chance of getting to the Premier League.

    It's a bit teary to be honest, I've never seen anything like this before...

  11. FULL-TIME: Luton 2-0 Sunderlandpublished at 21:56 British Summer Time 16 May 2023
    Breaking

    Luton win 3-2 on aggregate

    Luton Town Wembley graphicImage source, .
  12. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Ethan Horvath gathers a Patrick Roberts cross.

    Surely that's it for Luton. Sunderland's last roll of the dice.

    Aji Alese booked after a tet-a-tete.

  13. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Cody Drameh puts it wide! It was two on one! Luton bury the chance to win it for definite.

    Booking for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

  14. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Corner cleared, Luton break!

    Anthony Patterson out of position...

  15. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    With nothing to lose, Sunderland have threatened more the last five minutes.

    They win a corner.

    Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is up. Great run by Niall Huggins.

  16. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Sunderland throwing everything at it.

    It's fine margins. Amad can't get a shot away but prods it to a team-mate.

    Jack Clarke thinks about a shot but before he can, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu clears with a sliding challenge.

    Nearly there.

  17. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    At the moment, Luton's skipper looks like being the matchwinner.

    Tom Lockyer's side are a few moments away from a place at Wembley.

    Tom Lockyer celebratesImage source, PA Media
  18. ADDED TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    FOUR MINUTES TO PLAY.

  19. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Cody Drameh boots the ball away from the Luton penalty area.

    They just need to keep Sunderland at bay, and it's the Black Cats looking to cause some late chaos.

    Patrick Roberts gets a sighter, a yard, shoots. High and harmless.

  20. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg)

    Sunderland are just that half-second too late with their passes and shooting.

    Abdullah Ba cut in off the left with a couple of stepovers, Jack Clarke could have shot but delays a second too long and then Amad Diallo holds it a fraction beyond the time to pass.

    It's blocked.

    Sunderland fans starting to realise the season might be over. Luton preparing for their short journey to the national stadium...