Luton Town FC vs Birmingham City (24th Nov 2020)

Match Report | Luton Town 1-1 Birmingham City

Pearson's first of the season earns the Hatters a point...

The Hatters were left to rue missed chances in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship this evening.

Lukas Jutkiewicz had given the away side the lead in the 23rd minute but Matty Pearson scored from close range before half time to level proceedings.

Town had the lion’s share of possession and chances but were unable to secure victory, although did move up a place to 9th in the table.

Nathan Jones made two changes to his starting eleven following the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and James Collins coming into the fold.

On their respective 100th and 150th appearance for the club, Luke Berry and Collins combined during the early stages but the Ireland Internationals header went wide of the target.

Town had worked some good attacking opportunities until their hard work was undone when Elliot Lee was penalised for a handball inside the area. Jutkiewicz took responsibility from the spot and powerfully struck beyond Simon Sluga.

The Hatters fought back eight minutes before half-time after Pearson scored his first goal of the season.

Mpanzu saw his deflected effort tipped over the bar by Neil Etheridge and the resulting corner was delivered by Berry, headed across by Glen Rea and dispatched by the defender on the half-volley.

The home side were unfortunate not to take the lead inside the opening moments of the second half following Berry’s surge into the box, but his shot was stopped on the line by Maxime Colin.

Collins had a fantastic opportunity to put the Hatters ahead in the 72th minute after George Moncur knocked the ball down the line towards Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who in turn looked up and played the ball across to the striker, but Etheridge denied him from close range.

Chances continued to fall Town’s way, as Jordan Clark had a shot from distance tipped over the bar and Collins was denied a shot on goal courtesy of a terrific block.

The point could have been cruely taken away from the Hatters right at the death as Ivan Sunjic was through on goal, but Simon Sluga made a crucial save to keep the scores level.

Town are now unbeaten in four matches following tonight's draw and move onto Saturday's away match against Cardiff City looking to extend that record.

Town: Sluga, Pearson, Rea, Bradley (C), Norrington-Davies; Berry, Mpanzu, Dewsbury-Hall; Cornick (Clark 70), Lee (Moncur 61), Collins.

Subs not used: Shea, Cranie, Tunnicliffe, Lockyer, Bree, Nombe, Morrell.

Goals: Pearson (37)

Yellows: Rea

Birmingham: Etheridge, Colin, Roberts, Dean (C), Clarke-Salter (McGree 75), Friend; San José, Sunjic, Gardner (Sanchez 61); Hogan (Bela 75), Jutkiewicz.

Subs not used: Prieto, Pedersen, Dacres-Cogley, Kieftenbeld, Toral, Leko.

Goals: Jutkiewicz (23)

Yellows: Dean

Referee: David Webb

Nathan Jones' reaction to the draw against Birmingham City

NJ had his say following the result against the Blues...

Manager Nathan Jones was extremely positive following the Hatters’ 1-1 draw against Birmingham City this evening, a point he felt could have been three on another day.

Town had fallen behind to a Lukas Jutkiewicz goal before Matty Pearson levelled just before half-time.

There were plenty of opportunities to go on and win the game but the gaffer was upbeat about what he saw from his players.

“The performance level was there and I can’t ask for anyone more from them. As a team I thought we were excellent, moved the ball, we were brave and we showed that we are evolving as a very good footballing side and I’m very proud of that. We should have won the game, we had chances to win the game.

“We needed our keeper to actually reserve the point at the end but that would have been an absolute travesty because I thought we were excellent, I really did.

"It was totally against the run of play, (Birmingham’s goal) absolutely totally against the run of play but sometimes things can happen in the Championship like that.

“We should have cleared the ball and we didn’t, then they crossed the ball in, I have no idea what the hand ball rule is now so I can’t actually say if the ref was right or wrong because I don’t have any idea about the rule.

“We showed great character to get back at them and then we pushed, we created enough. Their keeper had a fine game but he needed to tonight because I thought we were very good.”

https://issuu.com/lutontownfc/docs/birmingham_e-programme_bcd - programme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfP3lz_9H1Y& - Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZmgBWgG5VM – match highlights

Missed chances cost Hatters as they are held by Blues at Kenilworth Road

Championship: Luton Town 1 Birmingham City 1

Luton were left to rue missed chances and an inspired display from visiting goalkeeper Neil Etheridge as they extended their unbeaten run to four games, held to their third successive 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City this evening.

The hosts dominated large chunks of what was a highly entertaining second half of football, play going from end-to-end at times, but try as they might, and boy did they try, they couldn't beat Etheridge again, striker James Collins the main culprit.

City's Philippines' international stopper had stated in the build-up to the game that he expected Town to be battling at the bottom again this year, but based on that 90 minutes, although the spoils were shared, Hatters chief Nathan Jones need not worry about a relegation fight materialising, particular with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in such mouthwatering form.

Town made two changes from the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Collins back for his 150th Luton appearance, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu also included, as Martin Cranie and George Moncur dropped to the bench, while Luke Berry reached his century of games.

An even opening saw Luton look the more threatening, Etheridge having to punch Dewsbury-Hall's corner away, the Leicester loanee making another impressive start following on from his efforts at the weekend.

With 12 minutes gone, Town had the best chance of the early exchanges, Berry's cross from the right glanced narrowly wide by Collins.

Despite having the better of things, Town then conceded a penalty on 23 minutes when Sonny Bradley opted against clearing his lines effectively allowing City to win the ball back and Maxime Colin's cross hit the outstretched arm of the sliding Elliot Lee.

Lukas Jutkiewicz, so often a thorn in Town's side from the air, scoring in both wins for the Blues last season, then showed he was just as capable on the ground, hammering low beyond Sluga.

Dewsbury-Hall had a pop from range, not testing Etheridge, Ivan Sunjic doing the same at the other end, his drive always rising.

Etheridge did have to work when Lee tried to make amends for his earlier indiscretion, forcing the keeper into a fairly routine stop at his near post.

The visiting custodian made a fine save on 36 minutes though when Mpanzu escaped on the left, his cross flicking off skipper Harlee Dean, Etheridge adjusting to tip over impressively.

From the set-piece, Luton were back on level terms, Berry's corner met by Glen Rea and Matty Pearson swivelling to shoot goalwards, Etheridge unable to keep it out this time, despite getting two strong hands to it, parrying against the post and over the line.

With their tails up, Town pushed for a second, a confident Pearson whizzing over from 25 yards, while after the break, Berry almost put Town 2-1 in front, his cross-shot cleared off the line.

The frantic nature was then to start and show no signs of stopping, Collins dropping a shoulder to beat his man with ease, drilling low for Etheridge to repel, while fortunately for Town, Jutkiewicz selfishly went for a second, rather than pick out the unmarked Sunjic.

The Blues scorer had another attempt, putting it out for a throw, as Dewsbury-Hall, who is showing signs of being a top, top player, set off on a barnstorming run through the middle, a move ending with Mpanzu's effort bobbling tamely to Etheridge.

Visiting defender Colin was inches away from putting Blues back in front on 68 minutes, slamming a shot past the post that had Town's hearts in their mouths for a moment.

Then came the opportunity for the Hatters on 72 minute, when substitute George Moncur burst forward and found Dewsbury-Hall overlapping, his low cross weighted perfectly for Collins to slam into the roof of the net from a matter of yards.

The leading scorer went for the sidefoot though, Etheridge producing his own personal Superman moment, pulling off a superb save and somehow clinging on to the ball, although he relly shouldn't have been given a sniff by Town's leading scorer.

Etheridge was to continue his one-man resistance three minutes later too, flipping sub Jordan Clark's blast from 18 yards over the top.

You just knew it wasn't Collins' night as with five minutes to go, he had another glorious chance, found by Norrington-Davies' cross this time but although he connected well enough, a last-ditch block prevented him from finding the net.

As the hosts tired, Birmingham looked to have a threat in the latter stages, Dewsbury-Hall showing his defensive duties, nicking the ball away from Riley McGree as he went to shoot and then Jeremie Bela volleying straight at Sluga.

Town's stopper was to have his own moment of heroism in stoppage time as Sunjic went clean through to win it for the visitors.

The Croatian international stood up well and managed to turn his shot over the bar, ensuring the Hatters picked up a point that was the very least they deserved.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Matty Pearson, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Glen Rea, Sonny Bradley ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Luke Berry, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Elliot Lee (George Moncur 60), Harry Cornick (Jordan Clark 70), James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Tom Lockyer, Sam Nombe, Joe Morrell, James Bree, Martin Cranie.

Blues: Neil Etheridge, Maxime Colin, Marc Roberts, George Friend, Scott Hogan (Jeremie Bela 75), Lukas Jutkiewicz, Harlee Dean ©, Jake Clarke-Salter (Riley McGree 75), Mikel San Jose, Gary Gardner (Ivan Sanchez 60), Ivan Sunjic.

Subs not used: Andres Prieto, Kristian Pedersen, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Jonathan Leko, Jon Toral, Josh Dacres-Cogley.

Booked: Dean 48, Rea 73.

Referee: David Webb.

Jones frustrated to only draw with Birmingham after a 'totally dominant' display from his Hatters' side

Town chief backs striker Collins after second half miss

Luton boss Nathan Jones felt his side should have claimed all three points against Birmingham City this evening after a performance he described as 'totally dominant.'

The hosts had fallen behind on 23 minutes to Lukas Jutkiewicz’s penalty, given for a handball against Elliot Lee, levelling through Matty Pearson’s first goal of the season before the break.

Striker James Collins, who had glanced one header wide in the first half, then missed a wonderful opening with 18 minutes to go, somehow denied by a Superman-esque stop from Blues keeper Neil Etheridge, the stopper having stated before the game, that Town would be battling at the bottom this term.

Etheridge also denied Jordan Clark, with Collins seeing another opportunity somehow blocked, as Luton were grateful to a fine Simon Sluga save in stoppage time to ensure they left with something.

Jones said: “Apart from one lapse and then (Simon) Sluga having to pull off a wonderful save, I thought we were totally dominant, in terms of how we moved the ball, in terms of us being brave, the chances we created.

“We should’ve won the game, no doubt about it, but the one thing I’m taking from it is, we are a Championship side and we’re proving we’re evolving week by week, and that’s such a good thing for a manager.

“That’s the positive I take from tonight. I’m disappointed we didn’t get three points, because I felt we deserved them.

“If we want to do anything in this league, when we’re in the ascendancy like that, we have to make sure we take it, but in terms of performance levels, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Despite Collins' tough evening, Jones wasn't about to jump on the back of his top scorer, adding: “He doesn’t often miss chances, and let’s give the keeper credit, the keeper did well.

“He’s had a good connection, it’s not like he missed it.

"Look, at least we’re creating those chances.

"The keeper’s had a very good game, he needed to after his comments, but all I say is I’m disappointed because we didn’t get three points, because the performance deserved it and I’m very proud of the group in terms of what they've done tonight.

“The move was wonderful, as good a counter attack as you're likely to see, Liverpool-esque really,

"It just needed that finish and it would have been worthy of winning any game.”