Benny Benagr looks to attack against Chelsea - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Imagesplaceholder image
Benny Benagr looks to attack against Chelsea - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
Luton are narrowly beaten in West London
Luton were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Thursday night after a 2-0 defeat at Premier League side Chelsea.
The visitors put up an impressive defensive display at Stamford Bridge, only breached twice in the second half through Danny Welbeck and Hakeem Odoffin’s own goal. To find out how the Hatters rated on the evening, see below.
On a night when Luton needed a big performance from their goalkeeper, they certainly got just that as Chelsea peppered the Hatters' goal throughout the evening, forced into an impressive six saves in total. Denied Palmer twice early on, the second a terrific effort to spread himself and deny the in-form England international. Flung himself to his left to parry James's free kick from range, as was often well protected by his defence, who threw themselves courageously in the way of numerous attempts. After the break, no chance with Welbeck’s header and Odoffin’s own goal, as late on, he did excellently once more to deny Palmer with his legs and scramble back to stop Pedro making it 3-0.
On a night when Luton needed a big performance from their goalkeeper, they certainly got just that as Chelsea peppered the Hatters' goal throughout the evening, forced into an impressive six saves in total. Denied Palmer twice early on, the second a terrific effort to spread himself and deny the in-form England international. Flung himself to his left to parry James's free kick from range, as was often well protected by his defence, who threw themselves courageously in the way of numerous attempts. After the break, no chance with Welbeck’s header and Odoffin’s own goal, as late on, he did excellently once more to deny Palmer with his legs and scramble back to stop Pedro making it 3-0.
1. Josh Keeley (STAR MAN): 8.5
On a night when Luton needed a big performance from their goalkeeper, they certainly got just that as Chelsea peppered the Hatters' goal throughout the evening, forced into an impressive six saves in total. Denied Palmer twice early on, the second a terrific effort to spread himself and deny the in-form England international. Flung himself to his left to parry James's free kick from range, as was often well protected by his defence, who threw themselves courageously in the way of numerous attempts. After the break, no chance with Welbeck’s header and Odoffin’s own goal, as late on, he did excellently once more to deny Palmer with his legs and scramble back to stop Pedro making it 3-0. Photo: David Horn
Up against the hugely talented Rogers and also Barco at times, he did excellently on his first start for the club since his summer loan move from Newcastle United, winning six duels, the most from anyone in an orange shirt. Played as part of a back five on this occasion, covering round well when Chelsea targeted the back post, getting back to block a volley from Barco away from danger. Although Town had precious few attacking moments, he tried to sprint away when the chance arose and link with the players ahead of him too. Comfortable in possession, the 90 minutes will do him a world of good as he tries to break into Luton's League One XI now.
Up against the hugely talented Rogers and also Barco at times, he did excellently on his first start for the club since his summer loan move from Newcastle United, winning six duels, the most from anyone in an orange shirt. Played as part of a back five on this occasion, covering round well when Chelsea targeted the back post, getting back to block a volley from Barco away from danger. Although Town had precious few attacking moments, he tried to sprint away when the chance arose and link with the players ahead of him too. Comfortable in possession, the 90 minutes will do him a world of good as he tries to break into Luton's League One XI now.
2. Harrison Ashby: 8
Up against the hugely talented Rogers and also Barco at times, he did excellently on his first start for the club since his summer loan move from Newcastle United, winning six duels, the most from anyone in an orange shirt. Played as part of a back five on this occasion, covering round well when Chelsea targeted the back post, getting back to block a volley from Barco away from danger. Although Town had precious few attacking moments, he tried to sprint away when the chance arose and link with the players ahead of him too. Comfortable in possession, the 90 minutes will do him a world of good as he tries to break into Luton's League One XI now. Photo: David Horn
Back into the side having been on the bench against Notts County due to his cut head, but thankfully showed no ill-effects of the blow, standing up well to the threats that Chelsea possessed both on the floor and in the air. Like the rest of the visitors' XI he produced a dogged display, throwing himself in the way of several shots, as Town impressively kept the Blues out for 50 minutes before finally being breached by Welbeck's close-range header. Had Town's only shot on target with a header of his own that was easy for Penders, while unlucky in the closing stages when stabbing Estevao's flashing drive into his own net as he tried to cover, putting the result out of reach.
Back into the side having been on the bench against Notts County due to his cut head, but thankfully showed no ill-effects of the blow, standing up well to the threats that Chelsea possessed both on the floor and in the air. Like the rest of the visitors' XI he produced a dogged display, throwing himself in the way of several shots, as Town impressively kept the Blues out for 50 minutes before finally being breached by Welbeck's close-range header. Had Town's only shot on target with a header of his own that was easy for Penders, while unlucky in the closing stages when stabbing Estevao's flashing drive into his own net as he tried to cover, putting the result out of reach.
3. Hakeem Odoffin: 8
Back into the side having been on the bench against Notts County due to his cut head, but thankfully showed no ill-effects of the blow, standing up well to the threats that Chelsea possessed both on the floor and in the air. Like the rest of the visitors' XI he produced a dogged display, throwing himself in the way of several shots, as Town impressively kept the Blues out for 50 minutes before finally being breached by Welbeck's close-range header. Had Town's only shot on target with a header of his own that was easy for Penders, while unlucky in the closing stages when stabbing Estevao's flashing drive into his own net as he tried to cover, putting the result out of reach. Photo: David Horn
Playing in the centre of Town’s back three, the defender didn't seem affected by the formation switch, giving a thoroughly dependable display alongside Odoffin and Johnson. Having lost Cooper for the goal against Notts County at the weekend, tightened up immeasurably, as he was faultless in his duels, not losing a single one, also making the second most defensive contributions, which was unsurprising given the amount of possession Chelsea had. Aerially impressive and eager to put his body on the line, he was also comfortable when Luton looked to build from the back, almost giving the 4,000 travelling fans the goal they wanted when seeing his downward header bounce over.
Playing in the centre of Town’s back three, the defender didn't seem affected by the formation switch, giving a thoroughly dependable display alongside Odoffin and Johnson. Having lost Cooper for the goal against Notts County at the weekend, tightened up immeasurably, as he was faultless in his duels, not losing a single one, also making the second most defensive contributions, which was unsurprising given the amount of possession Chelsea had. Aerially impressive and eager to put his body on the line, he was also comfortable when Luton looked to build from the back, almost giving the 4,000 travelling fans the goal they wanted when seeing his downward header bounce over.