Luton Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton as they edged closer to possible relegation from the Premier League. The Hatters had a chance to break out of the bottom three, but fell behind to a Dominic Calvert-Levin penalty. Elijah Adebayo equalized before the break but they could not find a winner to move level on points with fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, who play on Saturday. Luton’s survival hopes are dwindling. A hard-fought 1-1 draw with Everton at Kenilworth Road was not enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, and they have now played a game more than the teams around them. Everton secured survival last weekend, which many felt boosted Luton’s chances of victory, although there was never much danger of Sean Dyche’s side calling the shots. They defended resolutely, heading in crosses and giving Jordan Pickford a relatively quiet night. Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees ahead in the first half, curling a penalty straight down the middle after Teden Mengi was booked for trying to hug Jarad Branthvaite from a corner. Ilija Adebayo, starting for the first time since February, equalized with a great goal in the 31st minute.
Luton dominated the second half but only really threatened the winner during a pulsating injury-time attack. Luton had eight shots in as many minutes, culminating in Andros Townsend’s low shot which Branthwaite deflected around the post. If there were any doubts about Everton’s motivation, Branthvaite’s goal-saving touch celebration dispelled them.
The draw continues Luton’s desperate run of form. They have won just one of their last 15 league games, picking up seven points during that time. That’s why they need services from elsewhere – starting tomorrow when Nottingham Forest travel to Sheffield United and Burnley host Newcastle.
This felt like a must-win game for Luton – not mathematically, but to arrest their poor run of form and put maximum pressure on their relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and Burnley. Instead, Forest will travel to relegated Sheffield United on Saturday knowing that victory will take them three points clear of Luton, and with a superior goal difference. Luton’s only realistic chance for survival is victory in the last two games against West Ham and Fulham. Even that may not be enough.
MAN OF THE MATCH – TAHIT CHON (LUTON)
Chong’s drives through the center of the pitch were a problem for Everton throughout the game. James Garner and Idrisa Gueje were penalized for tripping Chong, whose surges energized Luton every time the game threatened to slip away. At times his final pass was over-ready, but that was the only blemish on an excellent performance.
PLAYER RATINGS
Luton: Kaminski 7, Berk 7, Mengi 6, Osho 6, Oniedinma 6, Sambi Lokonga 7, Barkley 7, Doughty 7, Chong 8, Morris 6, Adebayo 8. Subs: Berry 7, Woodrow 7, Townsend 6.
Everton: Pickford 6, Godfrey 7, Tarkowski 8, Branthwaite 8, Young 7, Harrison 6, Gueie 7, Garner 6, McNeil 7, Ducourt 6, Calvert-Levin 8. Subs: Onana 7, Beto 7, Andre Gomes 6, Coleman 6, Cermiti 6.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
23′ – PENALTY FOR EVERTON! Mengi holds on to Branthvaite from the corner, bizarre save, and this could be a penalty. The referee goes to the monitor. He takes a few looks, just to be sure, and then signals that it’s a penalty. There are loud whistles, but it was clear as day.
24′ – GOAL! LUTON 0-1 EVERTON (CALVERT-LEVIN PEN) Dominik Calvert-Levin kicks the penalty right into the middle. It wasn’t the best – Kaminski made it – but he got the job done.
31′ – GOAL! LUTON 1-1 EVERTON (ADEBAIO) Great equalizer from Elijah Adebayo! Lokonga, 40 yards out, deflected the ball to Adebayo, who pulled away from distance and onto Young. Adebayo dropped the ball, sidestepped the muscular Young and left-footed it over Pickford. It’s a great ending.
45+6′ – OFF THE LINE OF GODFREY! Luton almost took the lead at the end of the half. Doughty crosses well beyond distance, where Luton have a man across. Morris heads the ball back over the goal and Godfrey, in a good position, heads the ball off the line. I’m not 100 percent sure Morris headed it, although Godrei didn’t take any chances.
77′ – KAMINSKI MAKES A FINE SAVE! Harrison’s deep cross is well kept in the game by McNeill, who strains his neck muscles to head the ball back over the goal. Calvert-Levin meets a magnificent high header which Kaminski acrobatically deflects.
90+8′ – GREAT DEFENSE! The free kick is headed towards the edge of the pitch, where Townsend runs onto the ball and scores a sharp low shot. Branthwaite kicks it around the post and then celebrates as if he’s scored the winner! It might not have gone in, as Coleman was on the line, but it was a great instinctive save from Branthvaite.