Summary

  • Luton return to top flight for first time since 1991-92, season before Premier League founded

  • Eleven successful penalties until Coventry's Dabo missed target

  • Luton captain Lockyer 'responsive and talking' after collapsing on pitch

  • Lockyer taken to hospital for further tests

  • Coventry scorer Hamer limps off with injury

  • Sky Blues finished fifth in Championship, 10 points behind third-placed Luton

  1. At the sharp endpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Luton striker Carlton Morris and Coventry striker Viktor GyokeresImage source, Rex Features

    Only Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom managed to find the net more times this season that Coventry's Viktor Gyokeres, while Luton striker Carlton Morris wasn't far behind him.

    Sweden striker Gyokeres could well be playing Premier League football regardless of the Sky Blues' fate this afternoon, given the interest his 21 league goals have generated.

    Meanwhile, Morris - who netted 20 in all competitions - outscored his rival in the two league meetings, notching twice in a 2-2 draw. He has extra reason to make today his occasion, given the cruel way his afternoon ended when visiting Wembley with Shrewsbury back in 2018's League One affair.

    "Unfortunately I did my ACL and we lost so it was a double whammy," Morris told BBC Three Counties Radio.

    "But any experience can be turned into a positive and that has for me."

  2. Fans battle travel warnings to reach Wembleypublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Coventry fansImage source, BBC Sport

    Well what a right old game that was to get to Wembley today.

    Since Chiltern Railways dropped their bombshell late on Friday that today’s services to and from Wembley Stadium on the London Marylebone were massively oversubscribed and that there was a risk of Coventry City fans being stranded overnight in the capital, there has been a real element of unexpected panic in the Sky Blue ranks.

    There was probably a lot more traffic coming down the M40 as a result. And, from that point on, it was just a question of which station fans chose to pick to complete the journey on the more localised services.

    I went for High Wycombe, to be joined by 100 or so Cov fans - and a couple of stray Hatters too. We even had seats.

    There was an almost inexplicable air of great calmness in the Buckinghamshire sunshine as the four-car diesel unit smoothly conveyed its willing sacrificial subjects, both sky blue and orange, to the edge of the cauldron

    Then the train stopped. And the fun in the sun began...

  3. Coventry's play-off journeypublished at 16:12 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Coventry's Gustavo Hamer is hugged by teammates after he supplied the perfect finish to take Coventry to the finalImage source, PA Media

    It is often said that the play-offs reward those sides that time their ascent up the table just right to marry form with fortune, and Coventry have been that team in 2022-23.

    Their late-season surge gave them hope of reaching the top six, and they did just that with a final-day draw at Middlesbrough - which proved to be a dress rehearsal for their semi-final.

    Just days after schlepping up to the Riverside, the Sky Blues were welcoming Middlesbrough to the CBS Arena before a febrile atmosphere. The game didn't match the crackle of excitement within the crowd in true stalemate fashion, but it did set up the second leg for a one-off shootout.

    Again, Coventry hit the road for Teesside and it was a cagey affair before a sparkling crowd, until Gustavo Hamer delivered a moment of sheer class to decide it. Mark Robins and co were Wembley-bound.

  4. Luton's play-off journeypublished at 16:07 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Finishing third gave Rob Edwards' Luton home advantage for the crucial second-leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against Sunderland - and boy, was it needed.

    Although Tony Mowbray's Wearsiders were a late arrival in the play-offs after results went their way on the final day, they showed they were more than worthy of being there.

    Luton, despite finishing 11 points clear of the Black Cats, found the going tough at a raucous Stadium of Light in the first leg, as an early goal by Elijah Adebayo was cancelled out by a wonder strike by Amad Diallo, and Trai Hume bulleted home a second to leave the Hatters trailing.

    Finding themselves 2-1 down, Luton brought the north east club down to Kenilworth Road where an intimidating opposition, a tight pitch and a perfect gameplan from Edwards turned the tie.

    First, Gabe Osho bundled in from close range and team of the year selection Tom Lockyer powered in a header that proved enough to take Luton to Wembley.

    Tom Lockyer celebrates his crucial second-leg winner for LutonImage source, Reuters
  5. The tale of the regular seasonpublished at 16:02 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Championship top six showing Luton in third with 80 points and Coventry in fifth with 70, both teams won their respective semi-finals on aggregate to reach the finalImage source, Getty Images

    After 46 regular-season games, Luton ended up making the play-offs after their automatic dreams faded with Sheffield United's finish to the season.

    Highlights included a win over the Blades at Bramall Lane in March, home victory over rivals Watford a month later and success against Middlesbrough to clinch a play-off spot - among their 21 wins in total.

    They finished 10 points above Coventry, who made the top six on the final day of the regular season.

    If it were not for such a slow start, which resulted in a nine-game wait for a first win of the campaign, it might have been more comfortable.

    Yet the Sky Blues were slow burners, striking form at the right time with a run of one defeat in 19 to reach this final.

  6. Postpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Luton fansImage source, PA Media

    Hello there then, on this largely sunny afternoon.

    This is the culmination of a season's Championship work for two teams who are tantalisingly close to glory.

    Let's try to set the scene between now and kick-off at 16:45 BST.

  7. Team newspublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 27 May 2023
    Breaking

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Kyle McFadzean and Matty Godden inspect the Wembley pitchImage source, Getty Images

    Unsurprisingly given the performance against Sunderland in the first leg, Luton Town are unchanged across the 18 players starting and on the bench.

    Coventry City also name the same starting XI that began the victorious second-leg at Middlesbrough, but Kasey Palmer comes onto the bench instead of Sean Maguire.

    Luton: Horvath, Osho, Lockyer, Bell, Drameh, Clark, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Doughty, Adebayo, Morris.

    Subs: Shea, Potts, Berry, Burke, Campbell, Onyedinma, Taylor.

    Coventry: Wilson, Norton-Cuffy, McFadzean, McNally, Doyle, Bidwell, Kelly, Sheaf, Hamer, Allen, Gyokeres.

    Subs: Moore, Panzo, Wilson-Esbrand, Dabo, Godden, Eccles, Palmer.

  8. Postpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Play-off trophyImage source, Rex Features

    Yes, the money is massive. Who wouldn't want the estimated £170m winner's windfall flushing into the coffers?

    But today is equally about emotions. Be it happiness, joy, relief, optimism or positivity. Be it despair, heartbreak.

    Fans have the rollercoaster of feelings. The ecstasy of victory is obvious.

    Players must cope with their internal thoughts. Some will have never played in such a setting. There's coping with the atmosphere. The rewards are gigantic, career-changing. How do you remain composed in such a moment as this?

  9. Postpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Luton's class of 1988 pose with the Littlewoods Cup after beating ArsenalImage source, Rex Features

    What adds to the romance of this play-off final is that everything you could say about Coventry more than applies to Luton too.

    Their sliding doors moment was relegation from the old First Division 1991-92, mere months before the Premier League came into being. Just as the money began to flow in.

    While the 'Prem' prospered, for Luton what followed was decline, initially slow, then rapid. Much of it down to off-field issues which triggered huge points deductions. Luton fans were powerless, watching their players bravely fight to overcome such hurdles as they tumbled down the leagues.

    They slipped into the National League, out of the English Football League altogether. It was their lowest ebb. But, the fans and players and owners kept up the battle.

    John Still, a hero to Hatters fans, helped with the recovery, as they finally returned to the EFL. Nathan Jones, whose fingerprints remain on Luton's success, continued the rise in tandem with Mick Harford.

    Now, Rob Edwards - sacked by arch-rivals Watford this season - could be Luton's latest saviour. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo can write themselves into the same folklore as Syd Owen, Ricky Hill and Brian Stein.

    It's been a long journey, but Luton are nearly back.

  10. Postpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Coventry parade the FA Cup at Wembley in 1987 with Dave Bennett and Keith HouchenImage source, Rex Features

    Take Coventry City. Relegated from the Premier League in 2000-01, and never been back since.

    In that time between then and now, they've been as low as the fourth tier - League Two. We're talking a side that from August 1967 to May 2001 had an unbroken top-flight presence.

    Generations of fans have had to listen to parents and grandparents eulogising about such past heroes as Mick Ferguson, Keith Houchen, Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Kilcline, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and Dion Dublin, about Wembley '87 and the like.

    Under Mark Robins though, they've weaved their way back up the leagues, ticking off promotions, taking those steps closer to redemption.

    Now, young fans can start to dream. Playing their team in the Premier League on Fifa or whatever. It could come true.

  11. Postpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Luton Town and Coventry fans hit Wembley Way for the Championship play-off finalImage source, Rex Features

    There might be a tear or two on Wembley Way this afternoon.

    I don't just mean afterwards, when the pit-of-the-stomach agony of losing will strike one set of fans. Or when the pressure valve is eased by the delight and relief of promotion to the Premier League for the others.

    This is beforehand, when the reality of today's Championship play-off final truly dawns on supporters of both Coventry and Luton.

    The band James once sang: "If I'd never seen such riches, I could live with being poor", but these two sets of fans are the opposite. They've been 'poor' for so long, and yet those 'riches' are now in sight.

    Let me explain.