Carabao Cup second round: Chelsea 2 Luton Town 0
Luton were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Premier League Chelsea this evening, but not after the Hatters put up a superb defensive performance that meant they could leave Stamford Bridge with their heads held high.
Emilio Lawrence tries to get forward against Chelsea - pic: Andy Fitzsimonsplaceholder image
Emilio Lawrence tries to get forward against Chelsea - pic: Andy Fitzsimons
When the teamsheets were named, it saw the hosts go incredibly strong for Xabi Alonso’s first home game in charge, as despite Jack Wilshere’s hopes that the front three that dazzled at Fulham were dropped, he only got one of his wishes, Joao Pedro on the bench, with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer both starting.
It must have sent a shiver down the spines of the 4,000 travelling fans who had made the trip to West London, especially having seen how Charlton were thrashed 5-1 at Spurs the previous evening, but they needn’t have worried as the visitors defended as if their lives depended on it, throwing their bodies on the line time and time again for the entire 90 minutes, their top flight hosts only progressing with two goals in the second half, one from Danny Welbeck and the other off the unfortunate boot of Hakeem Odoffin.
Wilshere himself made six changes to his side, giving first starts to Harrison Ashby and Callum Marshall, as Odoffin, Joe Johnson, Benny Benagr and Gideon Kodua all came in, Kal Naismith, Mads Andersen, Jake Richards, Nahki Wells and Izzy Jones dropping to the bench, Jordan Clark missing out with his broken jaw.
Eager to stay compact in the early stages, Luton managed to do that, containing the hosts to just one real attempt in that time, the bang in-form Palmer firing into the side-netting from a tight angle. Town were never going to have too many chances in the final third, although they did get a sighter on eight minutes when Ashby’s long throw was headed out to Benagr whose right foot half volley skewed out for another throw.
Back came the Blues as they really started to up the tempo, Rogers almost in after a wonderful interchange in the box, Johnson back in the nick of time to clear behind. Luton continued to try and play through the home side’s press, which was a hugely brave, but at times a dangerous move, almost coming a cropper on 12 minutes, Palmer seeing a shot parried by Keeley, the Irish international making an even better save from his follow-up, flying out to spread himself and prevent the deadlock being opened.
Although taking the next goal kick long, Luton then coughed up possession again, Walsh having his pocket picked, but Town’s defence were able to fling themselves in the way of Rogers’ attempt. It was pretty much one-way traffic in the first period, as expected, Luton grateful for Keeley’s acrobatics again on 19 minutes, a cute free kick seeing Palmer roll the ball to Reece James to arrow a shot around the wall, the Hatters’ stopper flinging himself to his left to parry away.
The Hatters continued to dig in, forcing Maxence Lacroix to head into the side-netting from a deep Palmer cross, as they got past the midway point of the first half with their clean sheet intact. Luton then did finally get a break on the half hour as they won the ball back strongly in midfield, Marshall, who worked incredibly hard all night in the lone striker role, finding the run of Benagr who looked to his left and picked out the run of Emilio Lawrence, only for the winger to neither cross nor shoot, as the rare opportunity was rather wasted.
Town then won a corner on 36 minutes which led to another moment of potential excitement, as home stopper Mike Penders didn’t deal with it convincingly. Hatters had their first shot on target in the closing stage of the first half, Walsh sending a free kick into the area and Odoffin meeting it to put his header too close to the Belgian stopper.
Chelsea then had their best chance of the opening 45 minutes when Estevao got around Benagr, who was having a tough time dealing with the Brazilian’s tricks and skills, crossing for Rogers who put his volley against the bar from close range. Odoffin then threw himself in the way of a Palmer blast as Luton completed the first part of their mission, getting through to the interval with their clean sheet intact courtesy of a superb and disciplined display from each and every player.
The question was how long could the Hatters keep their hosts at bay in the second period, but Town might have actually gone one better and snatched the lead themselves in the opening exchanges, Palmer diverting Walsh’s cross off target. The answer to that poser was just five minutes as a moment of real class from Malo Gusto on the right saw the full back send over a pinpoint cross for former Brighton forward Welbeck to meet it with a thumping header from close range that gave Keeley no chance and finally broke the visitors’ dogged resistance.
It was important Luton didn’t get caught again as they tried to open up slightly, George Johnston doing brilliantly to hold up Palmer as he got into the area, making sure it was only a corner that Town conceded. On the hour mark, Luton brought on academy graduate Harry Fox for without doubt the biggest game of his brief career to date, along with Izzy Jones, as Welbeck went close to a second, flashing across goal.
With the replacements enjoying a good impact, the Hatters almost restored parity, Jones’ snapshot from the edge of the box skewing narrowly wide. Chances then came at both ends, both from a player with the surname Palmer, as first Cole pounced on a loose ball to arrow a sumptuous drive that just flicked the top of the bar. Then Jones let the ball run for Luton’s Palmer, Kasey, to try and score at the club where he came through the youth ranks, unable to pick out the bottom corner.
Town brought on Wells and Devante Cole with 12 minutes left, but before they had chance to get involved, the visitors were 2-0 down, Walsh caught on the ball in midfield, and with players advancing either side of him, it allowed danger man Estaveo to get away on the right and fire in a low cross-shot that deflected into the net off an unfortunate Odoffin.
Late on, Luton tried to find a consolation that their superb travelling support deserved, forcing a late corner, but Johnston’s header bounced into the ground and wide. Despite the result, the Town players and Wilshere in particular were afforded a superb ovation at the end of the game, as to a man, they could be incredibly proud of their efforts in West London.
Blues: Mike Penders, Valentin Barco, Maxence Lacroix, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers (Romeo Lavia 68), Danny Welbeck (Joao Pedro 73), Reece James (C, Pedro Neto 67), Malo Gusto (Jorrel Hato 67), Pep Chavarria, Josh Acheampong, Estevao (Jamie Gittens 80). Subs not used: Robert Sanchez, Emmanuel Emegha, Aaron Anselmino, Reggie Watson.
Hatters: Josh Keeley, Hakeem Odoffin, George Johnston, Joe Johnson, Harrison Ashby, Liam Walsh, Kasey Palmer (Devante Cole 78), Emilio Lawrence (Harry Fox 61), Gideon Kodua (Jake Richards 46), Callum Marshall (Nahki Wells 78), Benny Benagr (Izzy Jones 61). Subs not used: James Shea, Mads Andersen, Kal Naismith, Christian Chigozie. Booked: Johnson 55. Referee: Elliot Bell.