Everton vs Luton Town FC (27th Jan 2024)

Report | Last-gasp Woodrow fires Town into fifth round

Everton 1 Harrison 55

Town 2 Burke 39, Woodrow 90+6

Set-plays and goals in the final ten minutes have been a wonderful source of happiness for the Hatters this season – and it so proved once again deep, deep into added time at Goodison Park.

As time ticked into sixth minute of added time, the Town had one last trick up their sleeve in a second half that had seen them go agonisingly close to a deserved lead. This time, the right boot of Luke Berry caused the chaos, the ball bobbling frantically inside the six yard box before Cauley Woodrow, playing the final minutes with a broken hand, delivered the final clinical, glorious, killer blow.

The Town like it here. Four months ago a historic first-ever Premier League win was earned from two goals from set-pieces and history would repeat itself as two goals from corners earned a memorable 2-1 win and a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for only the fifth time in 36 years.

And just like the league clash here the Hatters frustrated their hosts, with Teden Mengi magnificent at the back. Since the September game the Town have added Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend to their ranks. The two ex-Toffees endured mixed reactions from the home faithful, but since that afternoon here earlier in the campaign, the Hatters have grown in stature.

Tim Krul, resuming in goal in this competition, was rarely troubled in a first half the Town dominated and led at the end of thanks to Reece Burke’s first goal of the season. Alfie Doughty – whose two assists did the damage back in late September – swung in a typically devilish corner from the right flank and Burke got the better of Vitaliy Mykolenko to nod past goalkeeper Joao Virginia.

Ahead at the break the Town were almost two in front six minutes after the restart when another corner from Doughty was met by Carlton Morris but his powerful goal-bound header was tipped away by the fingers of Virginia.

It would prove to be a key moment as four minutes later the hosts were level and the noise level returned to Goodison when Krul couldn’t hold Jack Harrison’s effort from the edge of the box and the ball squirmed over the line.

The Town’s response to that setback was terrific. Four minutes later Elijah Adebayo couldn’t have done any more with a fine effort after racing into the box – only for Virigina to produce a wonderful save to turn the ball around the post.

Shortly after the hour it really should have been 2-1 to the Town when captain Morris, fed by Townsend, saw his low shot from six yards hacked off the line by Nathan Patterson with Virigina beaten.

After that chance it was Everton’s time to push the Hatters back. However, Mengi, marshalling the backline superbly, and the Town defence poured cold water on every Toffees attack.

With five minutes added by the officials, it seemed all the world we’d all be heading back to Kenilworth Road for a night under the lights for a replay.

Then it happened. The one last chance to win came and it was left to Woodrow, nursing a broken hand following an earlier incident, to crash home from close range after the Toffees twice failed to clear to send the 1,700 travelling Hatters a moment to savour.

Two 2-1 victories at this famous old ground and a place in Sunday’s draw.

Home to Brighton on Tuesday in a big game under the lights at the Kenny in the Premier League.

It’s a good time to be a Town fan right now, so come bring the noise.

Come on Luton.

Town: Krul; Burke, Mengi, Bell, Doughty (sub Doughty 76), Obgene; Lokonga (sub Mpanzu), Barkley (sub Berry 76); Townsend (sub Chong 65), Morris, Adebayo (sub Woodrow 65).

Subs not used: Shea, Kaminski, Potts, Berry, Woodrow, Chong, Mpanzu, Johnson, Nelson.

Attendance: 37,713, including 1,699 shouting for the Town.

Edwards proud of Everton triumph

Town boss Rob Edwards was a proud man after seeing his side earn their second 2-1 win of the season at Goodison Park to secure a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with victory against Everton.

Just like in the Premier League, both of the Hatters’ goals came from set-pieces, and the manager was happy once more with his team’s ability from set-ball situations on another satisfying day at the office on Merseyside.

“The two games we’ve won here we’ve shown the importance and value of set-pieces and that’s credit to the lads and the staff who put a lot of time and effort into them,” said Edwards afterwards.

“To be fair we also had some good chances from open play and should have taken one or two.”

It was two substitutes that combined for the winner at the death with Cauley Woodrow powering home following Luke Berry’s corner to book the Hatters spot in the next round of the competition.

On the contributions of his substitutes, Edwards added: “It was a real good moment for those boys to be on at the end and celebrate with our supporters. It’s nice, especially for Bez to be involved in that moment.

“I’m delighted for Cauley and all of the lads that came on. All five had an impact. I keep saying how much value we have in the whole squad and we know we need to keep everyone focused and fit in order for them to make an impact when they come on.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fccmfIIDdk – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bha3PHiJBZk – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYgu8QibrW8 – BBC match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2NkEmU1yQY – key moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjzBFGSpei8 – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKkHy-gcCe0 – Behind the scenes

Dramatic Woodrow winner sees Luton beat Everton to reach round five

FA Cup fourth round: Everton 1 Luton Town 2

Substitute Cauley Woodrow scored the most dramatic of late winners as Luton snatched a stoppage time victory at Everton to secure their place in round five of the FA Cup this afternoon.

With the match entering the final minute of five added on, and destined to be going to a replay that clearly neither side wanted, home defender James Tarkowski gave away a needless corner. Although Alfie Doughty was off at this point, Luke Berry assumed set-piece duties, swinging in a wonderful delivery. It was met by Carlton Morris, which began a bout of pinball that saw Joao Virginia make a flying stop, the Toffees unable to clear their lines, leaving Woodrow alert to poke over the line, sending the visiting fans into sheer bedlam.

Demonstrating his intentions to go through at the first attempt, Hatters boss Rob Edwards had opted for a strong XI strong once again, Ross Barkley returning to the club where it all started for him, Andros Townsend, himself a former Toffee, also starting. Townsend, who was given a fine reception ahead of kick-off and he was involved in the Hatters making a bright start to the game, creating all the chances in the opening five minutes.

The visitors couldn't get their radar sorted early on though, Alfie Doughty hooking a half volley over at the back post, Barkley, booed whenever he was in possession by the home fans, slicing wide from 25 yards and then Morris off target with an ambitious snapshot from inside the area. The hosts took until 10 minutes to have their first real sighter, and it was a good one at that, Dominic Calvert-Lewin unable to pick out the unmarked Jack Harrison, but did find Beto, whose low effort slid wide.

Town striker Elijah Adebayo might have done better when Morris received Amari'i Bell's pass, spun his man and delivered a wonderful arching cross that the forward looked to head back beyond Virginia only to nod into the hoardings. Although Barkley couldn't quite exert his usual influence on proceedings, the Hatters started to edge things, but Everton still remained a threat, especially when a quickly taken free kick released Vitaliy Mykolenko.

With Krul creeping way off his line, the defender poked past the Dutchman only to see Reece Burke covering round well to prevent the ball from crossing the line. The same move almost paid dividends as James Tarkowski once more picked out the unmarked Mykolenko who opted to cross this time, Dwight McNeil heading straight at Krul.

Town then advanced up the other end, winning a corner on the right which Doughty swung into the area where it was turned home by a combination of Barkley, Burke and Mykolenko on 39 minutes, the goal officially being awarded to the Toffees defender. Everton looked to restore parity before the break, James Garner's free kick not missing the top corner by much.

In the second period, Doughty almost had another assist on Merseyside to add to his growing collection, seeing a corner met by a meaty header from Morris, Virginia at full stretch to turn it away. The hosts then levelled on 55 minutes as Bell slipped when trying to reach Beto's ball out to Harrison, the midfielder striding away and unleashing a low drive from 20 yards that escaped Krul's grasp and dribbled over the line.

Luton almost restored their lead moments afterwards, Jarrad Branthwaite slipping which allowed Adebayo to burst away on the left, as faced with Virginia, he opted to pick out the far corner, only for the keeper to make a terrific stop, fingertipping behind. The Portuguese stopper should have been picking the ball out of his net on 62 minutes, Townsend doing superbly to wriggle his way into the area, squaring it across the box when faced by Virginia, as Morris couldn't beat Nathan Patterson stationed on the line from six yards.

With one eye clearly on Tuesday night's Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, Edwards made three changes, taking off Adebayo, Sambi Lokonga and Townsend for Tahith Chong, Woodrow and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu. Desperate to avoid a second game, Harrison arrowed over when a Morris clearance fell to him, while Barkley saw the headlines too, but got too much on his blast from range.

Edwards continued to tinker in the closing stages, Joe Johnson on for the biggest game of his fledgling career to date, as Luke Berry joined him, Barkley and Doughty making way. It paid off too as with the clock ticking down, Luton won yet another set-piece, as Woodrow notched his second goal of the season to put Town in the hat, securing their second win at Goodison Park this term.

Toffees: Joao Virginia, Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski (C), Dwight McNeil (Arnaut Danjuma 78), Amadou Onana, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Youssef Chermiti 78), Jack Harrison, Beto, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner. Subs not used: Jordan Pickford, Andy Lonergan, Michael Keane, Ashley Young, Ben Godfrey, Mackenzie Hunt, Lewis Dobbin.

Hatters: Tim Krul, Chiedozie Ogbene, Reece Burke, Teden Mengi, Amari'i Bell, Alfie Doughty (Joe Johnson 78), Ross Barkley (Luke Berry 78), Sambi Lokonga (Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu 65), Andros Towsend (Tahith Chong 65), Elijah Adebayo (Cauley Woodrow 65), Carlton Morris. Subs not used: James Shea, Thomas Kaminski, Dan Potts, Zack Nelson. Referee: Simon Hooper. Booked: Chermiti. Attendance: 37,713.

Luton boss hails his subs as Hatters knock out Toffees at Goodison Park

Woodrow scores with final kick to seal 2-1 victory

Luton boss hailed the impact of his substitutes after the Hatters booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with the latest of victories at Everton this afternoon.

With the game ticking into the final seconds of stoppage time, Luke Berry, who had come off the bench late in the second half, delivered an inswinging corner into the box that was eventually turned home by fellow replacement Cauley Woodrow, who had broken his hand moments earlier, after the Toffees couldn't clear their lines to make it 2-1 and seal victory for the visitors.

The pair were two of five alterations made by Edwards, who also introduced Tahith Chong, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Joe Johnson as well, with the boss thrilled not only to see his side score, but also avoid an unwanted second successive replay having played Bolton Wanderers twice in the last round.

He said: “I think that was a big reason for the celebrations at the end (having no replay). I’m pleased to be in the next round, it’s a competition we really value, one that we really want to progress in and go as far as possible. I’m so proud of the lads, so pleased for everyone today to come through. I’m delighted for him (Woodrow), I thought all the lads that came on had a real impact in the game, all five of them.

"I keep saying how much we value the whole squad, I’m not going to be able to play everyone or pick everyone all the time, but it’s important we keep people motivated, focused, fit, ready to have an impact when you have that chance and I thought all five of them did that. I’m delighted for Cauley, he broke his hand, so he’ll be pleased tonight, but in a little bit of pain.

"It was a real good moment for those boys to be at that end and that corner to go and celebrate with our supporters as well, especially Bez (Berry) who means so much to our supporters and to our football club. It’s nice for him to be involved in that moment.”

Woodrow reveals he broke his hand before scoring Luton's injury time winner

Town score nets last-gasp goal at Goodison Park

Luton striker Cauley Woodrow revealed that he broke his hand just prior to scoring the stoppage time winner at Everton in the Hatters’ FA Cup fourth round success at Goodison Park yesterday.

The forward was introduced by manager Rob Edwards as part of a triple substitution with 66 minutes gone, replacing Elijah Adebayo, getting his longest run-out since the 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Exeter City back in September of last year. Having led a few charges on the right hand side, Woodrow was then involved in a collision with Everton defender James Tarkowski which saw him require some hasty treatment from the Town medics, returning to the field with a bandaged hand.

With neither manager wanting a replay, a hectic final moments saw both sides trying to grab a winner, Luton winning a corner in the last seconds of the five added minutes. Luke Berry took it and after Carlton Morris was involved, the ball dropped to Woodrow, who was able to react quickest, poking the ball over the line to make it 2-1 to the Hatters and send them through to the fifth round, sparking scenes of massed jubilation among the travelling supporters.

It emerged afterwards that Woodrow had actually suffered a broken bone to his hand, saying: “Just 10 minutes before the goal I fell on the floor with Tarkowski and fell on it. I just felt it crack and thought ‘oh no, I’ve definitely broken my hand there.’ But to get a goal, I'll take a broken hand. It’s hurting quite a bit, I’ve had a couple of codeines, but it’s all right. I was in a bit of shock for a while, but I’m happy.”

Woodrow was on target to net a first strike since the 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Gillingham in late August, as on his fifth goal since returning to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2022, the forward added: “I don’t really remember much. Carlton Morris flicked the ball on, it just fell to me and I managed to tap it in. I’m absolutely delighted as it was a tough game, so for us to come out on top was really pleasing.

“You need a little bit of luck and thankfully today I got that little bit of luck. Thankfully it did fall to me and I put it in, so I'm over the moon, really happy. To get it in the dying moments was amazing as to get an important goal and take us through to the next round, I'm delighted.”