Luton Town vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Kenilworth RoadAttendance11,029.
Report and highlights as Luton secure their first home Premier League win of the season in dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace; Michael Olise immediately cancels out Teden Mengi opener but substitute Jacob Brown's close-range finish eases relegation fears
Saturday 25 November 2023 18:20, UK
Luton ended their wait for a first home Premier League victory of the season as substitute Jacob Brown struck an 83rd-minute winner to inflict a 2-1 defeat on Crystal Palace.
Following a goalless first half, Odsonne Edouard's finish was ruled out by VAR due to a handball - and Teden Mengi tucked the hosts in front moments later from an Alfie Doughty corner (72).
But Palace, who lost Eberechi Eze to injury in the second half, immediately responded through a sublime Michael Olise effort on his first start of the season (74).
Luton would not be denied their landmark success, however, as Chiedozie Ogbene's brilliant run and cross was converted by Brown to ensure Rob Edwards could finally taste top-flight success on home soil.
Match-winner Brown said afterwards: "It's a mad feeling to get my first goal and the main thing was getting that three points. It's such a good feeling and we've earned it.
"There's been a few times where we've scored and conceded after. We knew we had to give it our all to hold on at the end and the feeling in the dressing room is going to be top now.
"As the season has gone on we've got better and better. We're all working hard each week and you could see the support from the fans in the last 12 minutes. That helped massively."
It was the Hatters' first win at Kenilworth Road in the top-flight since a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in April 1992. The result means Luton move four points clear of the relegation zone but remain in 17th while Palace stay in 13th place.
Luton's last win against Palace was a 2-1 victory in the Championship back in September 2006. Carlos Edwards and Rowan Vine scored that day, but the Kenilworth Road faithful have new heroes to serenade on Saturday night with the monkey finally off their back in front of their home supporters.
Edwards' impassioned celebrations as he led his players on a lap of honour spoke volumes for a club that has gone through the mill in its recent history. Time will tell how significant this result will prove.
The Luton boss said: "(It feels) really good. Relief, I feel drained now, it was the longest game I've ever been a part of. Pleased for the supporters, pleased for everyone connected to the club.
"It's been a long time coming here at home. I think we deserved a bit more than what we've got here in some of the games. We were close against Liverpool, close against Wolves, Burnley could have gone another way. But it's taken until today.
"I don't want the players having a party. We've done nothing (yet). We've got nine points. I don't think that's anything to be going out to the nightclub and having a flipping disco or a party."
For so long, this was a turgid affair. It appeared to be meandering towards a stalemate after Eze was forced off just moments into the second period with an ankle injury.
The opening period had seen Palace dominate as Olise curled a shot wide inside 39 seconds before Thomas Kaminski made a superb double save to deny Eze and then - even better - Jeff Schlupp.
Luton had little to show for their efforts with a long-range effort from Amari'i Bell after 29 minutes their only shot of any note before the break.
Roy Hodgson - on his first visit to Kenilworth Road - was forced into a double shuffle within the first seven minutes of the restart as Cheick Doucoure sustained a muscle injury to join Eze in being replaced.
It momentarily checked Palace's momentum, but when Olise's fine pass sent Edouard clear of the Luton defence, it appeared he had finally broken the tedium with his sixth goal of the season, at the second attempt following Kaminski's initial save.
But VAR Rob Jones signalled to referee Jarred Gillett that Edouard had accidentally handled the ball back into his own path. The goal was chalked off, and five minutes later, Luton were in front.
So often last season in the Championship, set-pieces were their weapon and when Ross Barkley caused havoc from Doughty's corner, Mengi wriggled free from Jordan Ayew to plunge the ball beyond Sam Johnstone.
Kenilworth Road erupted, but those celebrations were short-lived as the lively Olise silenced the home fans in devastating fashion, taking Joel Ward's pass before cutting inside Bell and finding the far corner.
It was a goal that deserved more than coming in defeat, but Luton were not done and it was Palace's tormentor Ogbene who made the goal that would win it. His cross from the right pitched awkwardly inside the box but should nevertheless have been a simple mop-up job for Joachim Andersen.
Instead, the defender allowed the ball to run across him and there darting between him and the goalkeeper was Brown, lunging in to prod Luton back in front.
Andersen had the chance to make amends when he shot low towards Kaminski's near post, the keeper turning it behind well with a strong right foot, before Jefferson Lerma hit a post in stoppage time as Luton held on and breathed life into their survival hopes.
Luton boss Rob Edwards:
"We'll enjoy it, but we've got to go again. Brentford's really difficult next week, then we've got Arsenal and Man City to look forward to. We've got to keep improving and getting better.
"So enjoy the moment, enjoy the feeling, it's nice. The players can enjoy their weekend. But it's back to work quickly.
"If we're going to win games in this league, Thomas [Kaminski] is going to have to make some saves. He's in really good form and he made some important saves. The crowd recognise that by singing his name. He can feel the support and we rode our luck a little bit when they're quite direct at the end. It was the land of the giants so we tried to find the balance in our defending.
"They hit the woodwork, there were some really good blocks and we found a way to get over the line."
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson:
"We conceded from a cross at a bad time as we were playing well and were looking at scoring the winner. Congratulations to Luton for holding on and producing a spirited performance. I thought both teams put a lot into the game and it was an exciting game all the way through. We didn't use the ball that badly and we created chances. It was the post and the goalkeeper that kept us out."
On the Kenilworth Road atmosphere, he said: "I wasn't surprised or affected by it. It was what I expected from a loyal set of supporters given what they've gone through over the past 25 years since the glory days of David Pleat.
"To be forcibly relegated and then be playing in the Premier League within 10 years is a pretty incredible achievement."
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds at Kenilworth Road:
"This one was not billed as the deluxe, five-star fixture of the weekend, but for fans of Luton Town, this felt like a crucial moment in their season.
"They had moved out of the relegation by default during the international break. Everton's 10-point deduction had given the newly-promoted clubs renewed optimism, but on Saturday it was Luton who grasped the opportunity.
"Rob Edwards' side had suffered five Premier League defeats by a single goal this season, the joint most of any side, but here they were on the right end of game that was decided by fine margins.
"Luton have spent approximately £32m on players since the summer 1992 so it wasn't a big surprise that Edwards' men became only the second team in Premier League history to lose their opening four games of a debut season after Swindon in 1993/94.
"But having impressed at times in defeat this term, supporters will feel their players are finally acclimatising to the step up in class."
Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward:
"Obviously it's disappointing. In the first half we weren't up to the level we can be. We gave ourselves an uphill battle. We did enough in the end to come away with at least a point.
"As players we know when you can eliminate chances and be better. We got ourselves back into the game through a wonder strike from Michael Olise but we didn't hold onto it. We created chances at the end but it was too late.
"In the Premier League you always come up against this sort of run. Only those in the top, top teams don't go through this often. But we know the quality we possess and we'll keep working hard to try to make that right.
"Michael Olise is a huge player for us. You could see that today. He's an exceptional talent. Hopefully it's not too serious injuries for Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure."
Edwards was impressed by Mengi's display. With each passing performance, it appears as though Manchester United may have made a mistake in selling the 21-year-old for an undisclosed fee over the summer.
"I thought he was immense today. He was really good. He's quick, he's strong and can play. He's really proving an excellent acquisition at the moment. The recruitment team deserve a lot of credit for that."
Luton travel to Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday December 3; kick-off 3pm.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace travel to West Ham on Sunday December 3, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2pm.
