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. Sky Blues forcing errorspublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Gary McSheffrey
    Former Coventry winger on BBC CWR

    We’re getting numbers up the pitch and forcing errors.

    The whole team is getting further up the pitch. Ben Sheaf’s picking up more loose balls and getting more into the game.

    Rob Edwards is frustrated that his team is just not doing the basics like they were in the first half.

  2. Postpublished at 53 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    ManagersImage source, PA Media

    Coventry the side winning the 50-50s and second balls on the edge of the Luton box now.

    Liam Kelly and Ben Sheaf are shuttling about like whirling dervishes.

    Kelly gets a sighter from 20 yards out but it's a wild effort. More like it though. Luton were struggling to contain.

  3. 'Just get rid of it'published at 18:02 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    As a defender if you're unsure where the keeper is you just have to get rid of it, there are no grey areas.

    There have been too many mistakes at the back - it might be a sign of nerves creeping in for Luton.

  4. Luton's Lockyer 'responsive and talking to family'published at 52 mins
    Breaking

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Tom LockyerImage source, Getty Images

    Luton have released an update, external on captain Tom Lockyer after he was worryingly stretched off in the first half:

    "We are able to report that after collapsing on the pitch, Tom Lockyer has been taken to hospital for further tests.

    "He is responsive and talking to his family, who are with him."

    Very encouraging news. We wish him a full recovery.

  5. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Luton v CoventryImage source, PA Media

    Luton are all over the place now themselves.

    Ethan Horvath and Gabe Osho got in a pickle over a ball in behind and the clearance is blocked.

    The loose ball bounces tantalisingly, but Coventry can't get a foot on it and it's cleared.

    Wild defending.

  6. Postpublished at 50 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Gustavo Hamer stings the set-piece in low near post, and Matty Godden tries to stub it goalwards for Coventry, but it goes behind...

  7. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Blanket defence from Luton as Coventry pour forward.

    Corner on the left as the cross is blocked...

  8. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Luton get the ball over the top again for Carlton Morris, Jordan Clark dinks one with back-spin and the Hatters are in behind Coventry.

    However, he's offside and when he passes the flag goes up.

    At the other end, Gustavo Hamer is just a toe away from snaring a loose Ethan Horvath pass but it goes behind for a goal-kick.

  9. YELLOW CARDpublished at 47 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Coventry's first act of the second half is to concede a free-kick for a foul on Luton's Elijah Adebayo and Luke McNally gets a booking for the cynical foul.

    He heads the free-kick away by way of reparation.

  10. SECOND HALFpublished at 46 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Coventry have brought Matty Godden on for Jamie Allen, to go two up top.

    Will he galvanise Viktor Gyokeres? They need him to.

    Sky Blues kick-off.

  11. Could have been worse for Sky Bluespublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Gary McSheffrey
    Former Coventry winger on BBC CWR

    It’s a positive that they are going in only one down as it could have been three and you’d have to say they would have deserved it.

    But the last ten minutes was more positive. They need to build.

    I do feel there’s a tactical decision to make at half-time.

    How long to stick with one up top. If you chuck another man up there it gives them more of a problem.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Wayne Ellis: Luton have been bang up for this since the kick-off, Coventry look like they’re just here for the day out. Big team talk needed from Mark Robins.

    Let us know your thoughts on that first half by using #bbcefl on Twitter.

  13. Postpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Tell tale signs Matty Godden is coming on. Clutching a shirt and looking ready for business for Coventry.

  14. Postpublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Coventry v LutonImage source, Rex Features

    There was plenty of chat before this final that I heard which centred around Luton's problems handling the threat of Sunderland on a big pitch, with little triangles and one-twos opening them up.

    The difference here is Sunderland had lots of useful possession and Coventry, apart from a few glimpses in good ball, haven't.

    Passing the ball between centre-backs won't hurt Luton, and the Hatters know it. So they press and compress and Coventry get trapped.

    Mark Robins needs to find a way to bring his midfield of Jamie Allen, Ben Sheaf and Liam Kelly involved, with Gustavo Hamer also snooping about.

  15. Disappointing Coventry need to wake up in second halfpublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Steve Ogrizovic
    Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

    Coventry have been disappointing.

    They've been done by Luton's physicality, long diagonal balls and losing second balls, and it was another long ball that ended up leading to the goal.

    There’s been too many poor decisions and in the second half they need to wake up.

  16. Hatters half - but still hope for Sky Bluespublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Time for a proper breather then. Phew!

    It sure tires you out watching Luton Town.

    The doubters and cynics said that, away from the tightly-packed, raucous atmosphere of their home Kenilworth Road patch that they might struggle in the vast open spaces of Wembley. But it has proved anything but.

    One stunning goal, two more disallowed – and a string of other dangerous moments too. With better finishing this game would already be over.

    It took until just before the break to really bring the Sky Blue Army into full voice - but they now have a bit of a base to cling to.

  17. 'Luton have dominated'published at 17:44 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    HT: Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    I think Luton have dominated, if I'm honest, Coventry grew into the latter stages but Luton will feel they've been a bit unfortunate not to have added to the scoreline with some balls into dangerous area. Coventry have struggled to get out and Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to get into the game.

    Elijah Adebayo does wonders for the goal, turns the defender inside out and picks a pass, though Jordan Clark still had a lot to do and finished well with his laces. Luton deserve to be in the lead.

    Reece Burke has stepped up well in the absence of Tom Lockyer. Gyokeres does need containing and I think he and Gabriel Osho have done that well so far.

  18. HALF-TIMEpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Luton celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    Jordan Clark has Luton 45 minutes away from a first season in the Premier League since it arrived in 1992.

    The Hatters midfielder capitalised on the direct approach and physicality of Elijah Adebayo to take his pass and fire past Ben Wilson.

    It was a deserved goal for a Luton side whose route-one approach has caused countless problems.

    They also lost Tom Lockyer early on, as he was withdrawn after going to the ground. Our thoughts and concerns are with him and his family.

    Coventry were better as the game went on but were punished for such a passive start. Whether it was awe or shock, they were all over the place early on.

    Still time and the scoreline on their side, but they need a momentum swing.

  19. Postpublished at 45+9 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Coventry get the ball right to Gustavo Hamer, who gets away from his man on the byline and slings it in.

    Jamie Allen gets it but can't wriggle through.

    Another quarter-chance gone.

  20. Postpublished at 45+8 mins

    Luton 1-0 Coventry

    Long ball goes forward and Elijah Adebayo creeps in behind the Coventry defence, who scramble back to clear.

    He goes down in the box, but Michael Oliver's having none of it.