Luton Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League.
Kenilworth RoadAttendance10,893.
Match report and highlights as Luton's impressive fightback earned their first Premier League point of the season; Pedro Neto opened the scoring with a superb solo goal, before Carlton Morris restored parity from the spot; Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was sent off for kicking out at Tom Lockyer
Sunday 24 September 2023 16:46, UK
Carlton Morris' second-half penalty cancelled out Pedro Neto's solo stunner to earn Luton Town a deserved 1-1 draw with 10-player Wolves, and their first point of the Premier League campaign.
The equaliser, scored 15 minutes after Neto's sublime opener, was not without its controversy though, as referee Josh Smith - overseeing his first top-flight match - pointed to the spot when Joao Gomes appeared to block Issa Kabore's strike with a raised arm.
On second viewing, the shot deflected off an outstretched leg before hitting the midfielder's arm, but VAR official John Brooks elected to go with the on-field decision.
"I have no idea why that's not been overturned by VAR," former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on Soccer Saturday. Wolves boss Gary O'Neil was equally displeased, branding the decision "absolutely terrible", and calling for referees to "up their level" in his post-match address.
Luton forward Morris was the direct beneficiary, dispatching his second spot-kick of the season with ease as Jose Sa went one way and the ball the other for the game's leveller.
Wolves could be forgiven for thinking the officials were conspiring against them having also seen Jean-Ricner Bellegarde sent off in the first period for a moment of madness in a tussle with Tom Lockyer, but there was little jeopardy in that conclusion, with the Frenchman giving referee Smith little choice but to dismiss him for a clear kick out.
"We need to fix the craziness in the group," O'Neil also said of his players, referring to Bellegarde's red card, which was Wolves' eighth since the start of last term - double the amount of any other side.
In truth, Luton enjoyed the ascendancy from almost minute one, and were roared on by a deafening Kenilworth Road contingent, whose desperation to see their side collect some much-needed points was abundantly clear. As it was, one was enough to suffice, and demonstrate green shoots of recovery after a barren four-game run.
It is difficult to discern whether Rob Edwards will be pleased with Luton's showing against Wolves, or whether he might feel as if his side should have used their extra man to greater effect to ensure they emerged with three points instead of one.
Luton started the game on the front foot, as promised by Edwards, who opted to go with a more attacking formation to force better openings in the final third. For most of the game it worked, but of their 20 attempts in total, only four hit the target. Morris' curler from range which struck the crossbar in the opening exchanges was as close as they came.
Jointly, the Bedfordshire side underperformed against their xG by 1.08, having taken more shots, completed more passes in the opposition half (201), and averaged more possession (56.6 per cent) than in any of their previous four encounters.
Despite going down to 10 players, it was indeed the uninspiring visitors who delivered a shock lead shortly after the break through Neto, who outpaced and outmuscled Lockyer, before firing emphatically beyond Thomas Kaminski - the moment of class the game was badly craving.
Kenilworth Road cried out for a response and in the 65th minute Luton's players obliged, after being handed a lifeline when Gomes inadvertently handled the ball in the box, and, following a VAR review, Morris stepped up to send Sa the wrong way - another decision that will be debated by managers and pundits alike, as the rules around handball continue to be subjectively applied.
Target man Elijah Adebayo was latterly brought on by Edwards and orange shirts continued to pour forwards in search of the striker, and a winner, but were ultimately denied by a combination of Craig Dawson and Max Kilman at the heart of Wolves' compact defence.
Late on, Nakamba's shot was deflected into the path of Chiedozie Ogbene who swept the ball home, but had his celebrations cut short by the offside flag.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil:
"Disappointed with the first 25 minutes. We knew today would be a test of mentality, and being ready. Luton were aggressive, went man for man, and we lost every duel.
"We had to change shape to try get a foothold and eventually saw off a terrible spell. Then we suffer a crazy moment from Jean, which makes it tough from then. To respond and fight until the end, and deserve to win the game, I'm pleased.
"Jean has apologised to the group and is very disappointed. It's something we can't have. We need to fix the craziness in the group. You can't be successful in football matches if you have that. Jean is aware, the players are all aware, because you leave the rest of team exposed."
Speaking about the penalty decision that allowed Luton a route back into the game, O'Neil said: "Never a penalty. Absolutely terrible decision.
"If that's a pen we're in a bad place with the rules. I've got the rules that were sent to us on my phone. It hits Joao on the leg first. I forgive the referee, but it hit two body parts before it hits the arm. The rules state it's not a penalty. We've been told the rules. I don't understand. Hopefully they [referees] can improve the level they are at."
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards:
"I'm proud of the players today. We dominated the game and were much the better team - everything we wanted to be.
"Wolves have got world-class players, and Pedro Neto is one of those. I'm standing here saying we should have three points, but it's progression.
"We can stop talking about Luton being the only team who hasn't got anything. We were on the front foot, being aggressive. Our football was entertaining, and that first 25 minutes we were electric.
"We still need to be better in the final third. We're working at it. But we found a way."
Luton visit Exeter in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday at 7.45pm before the Hatters travel to take on Everton in the Premier League on Saturday at 3pm.
Wolves are also in Carabao Cup action on Tuesday away to Ipswich Town at 7.45pm before they host Manchester City next Saturday at 3pm.
