Luton Town vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Kenilworth RoadAttendance11,047.
Report and free match highlights as Manchester City came from behind to beat Luton 2-1; City came to Kenilworth Road without Erling Haaland and Ejijah Adebayo gave the home side a shock lead; Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish turned the table in three minutes after half-time
Monday 11 December 2023 06:16, UK
Manchester City showed their champions' mettle as they came from behind to beat Luton 2-1 – and register their first Premier League win in a month.
The treble winners came to Kenilworth Road on a run of four league games without a win and were without striker Erling Haaland due to a bone injury - and Luton then threatened to pull off the shock of all top-flight shocks when Elijah Adebayo headed home on the stroke of half-time.
But City, who missed 10 first-half chances without top scorer Haaland, found their clinical edge after half-time as Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish struck twice in three second-half minutes to turn the game on its head.
And City held on to move themselves within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, after their title hopes took a minor dent in recent weeks.
City manager Pep Guardiola revealed what he said to his team at half-time to turn it around - and said he used critics doubting his team to help them to a comeback win.
"Do we have to feel sorry for ourselves? It's football, life, it happens," he said when revealing what his half-time team talk.
"Strikers, be more aggressive and score goals. Defend better the crosses and be more positive.
"They don't need to prove what they are capable of, they are an extraordinary group of players. But in general, it's normal.
"[Critics say] City is not the same, it's over. Let them prove us wrong. Let's prove that we want to be there. I said that on Friday, we need to live that."
Man City tried to show their attacking intent without Haaland straight from the off as Phil Foden was released by Bernardo in the opening minutes, but Thomas Kaminski was equal to the strike, before the Portuguese put the rebound wide.
City continued their progress forward with Rodri and Foden both stinging Kaminski's fingers from the edge of the box, before Julian Alvarez put a close-range chance wide after being found by Grealish in the box.
Luton grew as the first half went on as Andros Townsend shot from the edge of the box - but the hosts' opener came at the stroke of half-time.
Ross Barkley budged Bernardo off the ball and fed Alfie Doughty down the right. The Luton full-back teed up Townsend for a cross, which Adebayo nodded home at the far post.
After City manager Pep Guardiola was seen remonstrating with the officials at the half-time whistle, City patiently waited for their way back in the game.
It nearly came via Ruben Dias, who was denied at point-blank range by a superb stop by Kaminski, who tipped the ball onto the bar.
But City's equaliser eventually came as Rodri burst into the box but was denied by a sliding challenge - the loose ball fell to Bernardo who curled home into the far corner.
Three minutes later, the game was turned on its head. Alvarez won the ball high up the pitch and as Luton cried handball against the Argentine, he charged down the right and crossed into the box.
Tedem Mengi dallied at the far post and that allowed Grealish to score with ease.
Luton tried to hit back immediately when Barkley turned on the edge of the area and fired just wide. And after Luton forward Jacob Brown avoided a red card for a high challenge on Foden, City saw out the game with ease and master management. That's what champions do.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports:
"The way we have been playing this season has been good in most of the games. I try to analyse that but we need Bernardo to put the ball in the goal - we needed it. They fought like we've always done.
"It was important for belief. People have said it's over but we want to make them wrong and to believe the season is not over. Will we be there? It depends on us and how we perform.
"There are patterns that we never lose. We played an exceptional first half but conceded a big punch at the end of the half.
"We spoke about how to react and that's what the big teams and big personalities react in the difficulties. In the second half we didn't play as well but we scored the goals."
Luton manager Rob Edwards:
"I'm proud of the players but disappointed. I felt like it was there for us. I had a really good feeling going into the game, with all respect of Man City and who they are, but credit to them for finding a way.
"When goal went in, I thought it was our day. But I'm disappointed with goals conceded. We were so brave, and aggressive against a top team. We're capable of that. But we showed quality, the goal was an example of that. You cannot give the ball back to Man City [like we did], or you die a slow death.
"My job is to concentrate on performances. We can't control the wins, draws and losses. If I could, I would be selling it and a wealthy man. If we continue to play like this week, we can achieve something special this year.
"We know the fight we're in, but I love the way the team is going, how hard they're working for each other. We're changing the narrative of Luton Town Football Club. But we need to pick up the points."
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at Kenilworth Road:
Conceding stoppage time goals against Liverpool and Arsenal cost them three points - the Hatters doubled that tally by conceding two quickfire goals while on top.
So for the third time this season, Rob Edwards' side were clapped off as unlucky losers after taking a 'Big Six' club the distance.
Nobody expected Luton to get any points from the three games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City - let alone the one point they have. But they need to start producing results, rather than performances.
With Everton and Bournemouth winning over the weekend, there are fewer teams for Luton to drag into this relegation fight. Now they face Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Burnley in their next four games. These are crucial times for Luton.
Luton travel to Bournemouth on Saturday December 16. Kick-off 3pm.
Manchester City have secured top spot in Group G of the Champions League ahead of their trip to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday December 13. Kick-off 4.45pm.
City then host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday December 16. Kick-off 3pm.
