Luton Town FC vs Burnley (18th Feb 2023)

Report | Luton Town 0-1 Burnley

The Hatters turned in an excellent performance against Championship leaders Burnley, but ultimately saw their five-match unbeaten league run ended by a late Ashley Barnes penalty as the visitors took all three points back to the north-west.

Barnes struck with a 78th-minute spot-kick - the third Town have conceded in as many matches - before captain Tom Lockyer was sent off for two yellow cards shown by referee Jeremy Simpson in the game's most controversial incident.

Rob Edwards made one change to his line-up from the team that started up at Preston on Wednesday, Leeds loanee Cody Drameh returning to the starting line-up after missing the last two matches, replacing Fred Onyedinma who started in midweek.

Marvelous Nakamba makes his first home league start alongside Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Jordan Clark in midfield, whilst Alfie Doughty was back on the bench after he missed out in the 1-1 draw at Deepdale.

Town started well and had the game's first attempt on goal on 12 minutes, Adebayo and Morris linking up well with a one-two 25 yards out, but visiting keeper Arijanet Muric was equal to the former's shot, diving full length to his right to push it behind for a corner.

Tom Lockyer managed to get his head on a 14th-minute Jordan Clark free-kick, twice, but Burnley managed to clear as Town posed some early questions, pressing the Burnley backline high as they attempted to play out.

It wasn't until the half-hour mark that Burnley had their first effort on goal, Johann Gudmundsson seeing his curling free-kick well saved by Ethan Horvath, diving low to his right in the Town goal.

Drameh's afternoon was over as early as the 32nd minute, the right wing-back unable to continue after picking up a blow earlier in the game when challenging Ian Maatsen, a blow that required lengthy treatment.

Doughty came on in his place, and Burnley soon had Josh Brownhill receiving the game's first yellow card, the midfielder taking Clark out as the Town man sold two players a dummy and looked to break clear into the visitors' half.

By then the Hatters were in the ascendancy, Mpanzu juggling the ball to create space for a 25-yard shot that Muric saved, before racing to the left byline to receive a pass from Amari'i Bell and cutting back for Adebayo, who couldn't keep his shot down from seven yards.

It had been an excellent first half performance from the Town, as they headed in goalless at the break - during which the Under-18s received a rapturous ovation from the crowd as they received the EFL Youth Alliance South-East Division championship trophy, presented by chairman David Wilkinson.

A stop-start opening to the second period saw a brief burst of life in the 53rd minute when Burnley top scorer Nathan Tella looked to have escaped the Hatters defenders' attentions, only for Reece Burke to get back and make a terrific block in the box, before Ashley Barnes struck a 20-yarder wide of the target.

Vincent Kompany made his first change straight away, bringing on Morrocco international winger Anass Zaroury for Gudmundsson, then Edwards made his second in the 57th minute, replacing top scorer Morris with Cauley Woodrow.

Burnley won their first corner of the half in the 64th minute and it needed captain Lockyer to be on his mettle to block an effort from substitute Vitinho, who then dragged a left footed shot well wide after being set up by Barnes.

Nakamba had performed weill again on his home debut at the base of the Town midfield, but his work for the day was done in the 68th minute, being replaced by Campbell after receiving treatment.

Adebayo went on a driving run to the byline and delivered a low cross to Campbell, but the Scot couldn't get the ball out from his feet quick enough.

Burnley had the lead in the 78th minute when Barnes netted from the spot - the third game in a row the Hatters had conceded from 12 yards - after Osho was penalised for handling as Vitinho attempted to lift the ball past him in the box.

Lockyer was booked for complaining about the decision, then was shown a red card straight after the goal for continuing his protests.

Before the game could restart, Adebayo was booked after Barnes twice deliberately body checked him in blocking his attempted run over the halfway line into Burnley's half, during two aborted kick-offs.

The Hatters couldn't fashion the chance to get the goal back, and the unbeaten run came to a disappointing end. But

Goal: Barnes (pen) 78'

Att: 10,066 (1,026 away)

Reaction | Rob Edwards on Burnley defeat

Manager Rob Edwards said he was ‘so proud’ of his players after a narrow defeat against league leaders Burnley at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters turned in a superb performance but fell just short as Ashley Barnes’ 78th minute penalty proved decisive.

Falling to a first Championship defeat in six matches, Edwards was nothing but pleased with what he saw from his team, after taking the Clarets all the way in a battling performance.

“I’m so proud of the lads today,” he insisted. “I thought after getting back about 4am in the morning on Thursday after a tough night in Preston, a quick turnaround and then going up against comfortably the best team in the league and putting on a performance like that, I’m so proud of the lads.

“It’s a pen. I think we can deal with the initial free-kick better that’s all. We’re human beings there is going to be one or two mistakes but there was very few out there today. The lads gave everything, ran so hard, fought so hard.

“We’re never going to turn up here today and give Burnley the game they want, they’re too good for that. They’re too good for us to sit off and say ‘come on you have the ball’, we have to go after them, we have to make it difficult, and I thought the lads were unbelievable today with their energy.”

On Tom Lockyer’s dismissal, the boss added: “There is high emotion out there, both teams desperate to win, big game for both teams and maybe he’s made a couple of errors in judgement, but he has been fantastic for us since we’ve come in the door. He was amazing as well today but we’re going to miss him now for a game.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZKfC4zGWOA – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=robs6qT5q7Q – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_4DzgNLoN8 – Gabe Osho interview

Luton pay the penalty late on as they fall to undeserved Burnley defeat

Championship: Luton Town 0 Burnley 1

Luton were cruelly undone by a penalty for the third game in a row as they fell to an incredibly harsh and totally undeserved 1-0 defeat against champions elect Burnley at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters more than matched their opponents, who have one foot back in the Premier League already, for large periods, as it often looked like it was they who were the team that are going to be plying their trade in the top flight next term.

However, as has happened against Coventry and Preston in the last week, Town conceded a spotkick, this time with 12 minutes to go, and Ethan Horvath was once again unable to be the hero, Ashley Barnes making no mistake.

Town chief Rob Edwards made one change to the team who drew 1-1 against Preston, Cody Drameh in for Fred Onyedinma at wingback.

The hosts didn't give an inch in the opening exchanges, creating the best chance on 11 minutes when Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris combined well, Adebayo's 20-yard attempt forcing Arijanet Muric into a good stop away to his right.

Tom Lockyer's header was then easily caught by the Clarets custodian, as Luton continued to look the more likely, their high octane pressing game giving the table-toppers some real problems.

On the half hour mark, Burnley had their first real effort when Johann Gudmonsson took aim from a 30-yard free kick and sent it arrowing towards the bottom corner only for Horvath to get across well and turn it behind.

The Hatters were then forced into an early change, Drameh pulling up once more and unable to go on, Alfie Doughty taking his place.

Town managed to keep up their momentum though, impressing all over the pitch as once Jordan Clark was manhandled to the floor, the following free kick saw Mpanzu juggle the ball and then shoot goalwards, Muric gathering.

Edwards’ men should have taken the lead on 38 minutes though, Amari’i Bell picking out the here, there and everywhere Mpanzu, who had ventured into the box.

He in turn fed Adebayo but from just eight yards out, the forward could only sidefoot wastefully over the top.

Still it was Luton who looked the more likely though, Marvelous Nakamba skying an effort almost out of the ground, while Clark's header looked to have sent Mpanzu through on goal, but he ended checking back on himself and then taking the ball away from danger on the stroke of half time.

After the break, Burnley had their first real extended spell as Ian Maatsen looked like he was going to open the scoring, only for Reece Burke to make a terrifically timed and crucial block.

The experienced Barnes then teed himself up, but on his left foot, sliced well wide as the Clarets definitely began to look more like themselves in the second period.

Vincent Kompany’s side were almost in front on 64 minutes, sub Vitino left unmarked from a cross, but there was Lockyer this time to make a stretching block when it looked like he was going to open the scoring.

Moments later and Vitinho looked like he was in again, found in space, but this time he could only drag wide of the target.

With Nakamba off with what looked like cramp, Allan Campbell was introduced and had he sorted his feet out, might have broken the deadlock from a slick move on Luton’s right.

However, just when the Hatters looked like they were going to end Burnley’s proud scoring streak of 28 successive games, they were undone after switching off from a ball over the top, the ball hitting Osho’s arm.

Lockyer was booked for his complaints, as Barnes drove into the bottom corner, while the frustrations boiled over for Town’s skipper, picking up a second yellow from referee Jeremy Simpson before play could restart.

Although Luton didn’t let the numerical disadvantage affect them, they couldn’t force a deserved equaliser, Mpanzu’s snapshot that flew over the bar in the closing stages, the closest they came.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Cody Drameh (Alfie Doughty 32), Reece Burke, Tom Lockyer (C), Gabe Osho, Amari'i Bell, Marvelous Nakamba (Allan Campbell 68), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Clark, Elijah Adebayo, Carlton Morris (Cauley Woodrow 57).

Subs not used: James Shea, Luke Berry, Dan Potts, Joe Taylor.

Clarets: Arijanet Muric, Charlie Taylor, Jack Cork (C), Johan Gudmundsson (Anass Zaroury 54, Lyle Foster 90), Josh Brownhill, Ashley Barnes, Connor Roberts, Hjalmar Ekdal, Nathan Tella (Vitinho 61), Josh Cullen, Ian Maatsen.

Subs not used: Scott Twine, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Anass Zaroury, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Michael Obafemi.

Bookings: Brownhill 35, Lockyer 79, Adebayo 80.

Sent off: Lockyer 80.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson.

Attendance: 10,066 (1,026 Clarets).

Edwards has nothing but pride in his Luton players following harsh Clarets loss

Town lose out to late second half penalty

Luton boss Rob Edwards had nothing but pride for his players despite their 1-0 defeat against runaway Championship leaders Burnley at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Going up against a Clarets side were hadn’t been beaten in the league for over four months, scoring in every game since early August, it was the hosts who made all the running in the first period.

Elijah Adebayo and Pell-Ruddock Mpanzu went close from range, before Adebayo missed a glorious chances, skying over the top from eight yards out after great work by Mpanzu.

Although the Clarets came into it more after the break, Town were still more than worthy of a point, only for referee Jeremy Simpson to penalise Gabe Osho for handball in the area, Ashley Barnes drilling home the spotkick.

To make matters worse, skipper Tom Lockyer was sent off for arguing the decision before and after it was taken, receiving two yellows in under 60 seconds, but speaking afterwards, Edwards said: “I’m so proud of the lads today.

“After getting back about four o’clock on Thursday morning after a tough night at Preston, a quick turnaround and then going up against comfortably the best team in the league, and putting on performance like that, I’m so proud of the lads.

“It was a pen, I think we can deal with the initial free kick better, but we learn from it and we’re human beings.

“There’s going to be one or two mistakes, there were very few out there today, the lads gave everything, ran so hard, fought so hard.

“We’re never going to turn up here today and give Burnley the game they want, they’re too good for that, they’re too good for us to sit off and say ‘go on, you have the ball.’

“We’ve got to go after them, we’ve got to make it difficult.

"We’ve got to make a really, really hard, we’ve got to suffocate them and I thought the lads were unbelievable today with their energy

“That’s why Burnley have scored so many late goals this season.

“I know it was a later one today but they do grind teams down.

“We didn't allow them to do that, we asked the boys, they’ve got to give everything, they did it.

"We had some quality as well, I know it was a game of few chances, but the one big chances we had was a great bit of play.

“It wouldn't happen often to them and I’m giving them lots of credit as I've got massive amounts of respect for them, but they had a free kick and a penalty as their shots on target today.

“So we limited a really top team to very few chances and we could have done better in the one big moment we had.”