Luton Town FC vs Blackburn Rovers (22nd Jul 2020)

MATCH REPORT | LUTON TOWN 3-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS

Town win five-goal thriller to survive relegation at Kenilworth Road!

The Hatters pulled off the great escape against all the odds, securing their Sky Bet Championship status for another season with a memorable 3-2 victory against Blackburn Rovers.

Before the Championship season restarted just over a month ago, Town were six points adrift of safety and in 23rd place but with just one defeat in nine games, the Hatters recovered brilliantly to avoid relegation.

Town came from behind on the night to lead 3-1, with two own goals and a James Collins penalty, before Sam Gallagher pulled a goal back for the visitors to set-up a tense finale.

Manager Nathan Jones named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that defeated Hull City 1-0 on Saturday, and the Hatters began on the front foot in the hope of opening the scoring for the fifth match running, but Elliot Lee was unable to connect properly with James Bree’s cross and Blackburn managed to clear.

The away side grew into the game and in the 10th minute, hit the front courtesy of Armstrong, who prodded home inside the six-yard box.

Town remained positive despite going behind and had two chances in quick succession just before the first-half drinks break. Firstly, Bree’s left-footed cross was nodded onto the roof the net by Harry Cornick and then the former Bournemouth man turned provider for Collins, but his effort went over the bar.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the Hatters’ pressure paid off. Bree’s free-kick from a central position was whipped into a dangerous area and Blackburn’s Hayden Carter headed into the back of his own net.

One quickly became two in the 35th minute when Town took the lead. Bree was again provider and the scorer was once again courtesy of a Blackburn player – this time Bradley Johnson was the unfortunate one for Rovers.

Bree was again at the forefront of the action in the early stages of the second period, in the right place at the right time to head clear Ben Brereton’s cross which was fired across the face of goal.

Town’s evening got even better when Cornick was brought down in the area by Jacob Davenport, Collo stepped up and fiercely struck his penalty down the middle to give the Hatters a two-goal advantage with half-an-hour to play.

Cornick continued to cause problems for the Rovers defence as he beat Carter for pace, got to the by-line and crossed towards Collins but Lenihan intercepted just in time.

But the drama continued, and Blackburn pulled a goal back through Gallagher with 15 minutes remaining, who flicked his shot into the top corner from close range.

Substitute Danny Hylton went close to restoring the two-goal cushion for the Hatters, but he dragged his shot wide of the goal.

Town survived an aerial bombardment from the visitors and seven minutes of added time at the end of the match to hold onto all three points and beat the drop, moving out of the relegation zone for the first time since December to finish in 20th place.

TOWN: Sluga, Bree, Carter-Vickers, Bradley (C), Potts; Rea, Mpanzu, Berry, Lee (Pearson 78); Cornick (LuaLua 72), Collins (Hylton 72).

Subs not used: Shea, McManaman, Shinnie, Moncur, Kioso.

Goals: Carter (28’ og), Johnson (35’ og), Collins (60)

Yellows: Cornick, Carter-Vickers, Hylton, Berry

BLACKBURN: Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan (C), Carter, Rankin-Costello; Travis (Davenport 45), Johnson, Rothwell (Bennett 78); Holtby (Buckley 45), Armstrong (Graham 61); Brereton (Gallagher 61).

Subs not used: Eastham, Chapman, Bell, Vale.

Goals: Armstrong (10), Gallagher (75)

Yellows: Travis

Referee: Darren Bond

NATHAN JONES | "WHAT A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT, I'M SO PROUD"

Hatters boss Nathan Jones spoke to the press after beating the drop with a fantastic 3-2 victory against Blackburn Rovers at Kenilworth Road.

The five-goal rollercoaster meant Town finished in 20th position against all the odds, having been six points adrift of safety when the Championship season restarted in June.

Jones said the achievement was: "Unbelievable! It’s a shame there is no fans here because I think it would be bouncing right now. The volume levels would be through the roof but so proud of the group, to get 16 points from a possible 27, nine games, is a phenomenal return considering where we were.

"I would have thought a handful of individuals would have thought we would do it, and this is as great an achievement as promotion really. It’s over a shorter period of time as I mentioned in my press yesterday, but what a wonderful achievement, I’m so proud.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNoMPyo_EYQ – Nathan Jones post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os3oOE3UFag – Match highlights

Hatters secure Championship survival after beating Blackburn Rovers

Championship: Luton Town 3 Blackburn Rovers 2

Against all the odds, Luton Town secured their Championship after a magnificent 3-2 win against Blackburn Rovers on a night of high drama at Kenilworth Road this evening.

To be honest, you couldn't have expected anything else from a finale that began with seven teams in with a chance of either staying up or going down, plus points deductions potentially changing the outcome in the future.

Fortunately, Hatters' destiny looked very much in their own hands, pick up the three points and they were staying in the second tier.

To even be in this position was a startling achievement by the players and manager Nathan Jones, as they emerged from lockdown some six points adrift of safety, seven if you include the goal difference.

They had chipped away at the deficit over the previous eight matches, particularly on the road, winning at Swansea, Huddersfield and then most importantly, Hull City on Saturday.

That set up the soon to be must-win clash against a Rovers side who had nothing but pride to play for, unable to force their way into the play-off battle.

And what an evening it was, Luton falling behind, then leading, then conceding late on to, before seeing out 15 minutes of normal time and seven added on before being able to celebrate, eventually climbing outside of the bottom three for the first time since December to end the season in 20th place, some two points clear of the drop.

Town were unchanged, Jones resisting the temptation to start Saturday's match-winner Kazenga LuaLua, although Matty Pearson was somehow fit enough to replace Ryan Tunnicliffe on the bench.

The visitors certainly didn't make any radical alterations either, going with the same 11 that proved too strong for Reading at the weekend, winning 4-3.

Luton almost made the perfect start to settle any nerves, Elliot Lee getting his volley all wrong at the far post.

Rovers showed they were in no mood to set their sights on a socially distanced holiday, Ben Brereton dancing past Martin Cranie, his cross cleared by Cameron Carter-Vickers and then Bradley Johnson's 20-yard curler drawing a sprawling stop from Simon Sluga.

However, Rovers put a rather big fly in the ointment on just 10 minutes, when Luton couldn't clear their lines from a corner and there was Adam Armstrong to find the bottom corner from close range.

The hosts looked nervy, the occasion appearing to get to them, not putting enough pressure on the ball, Johnson allowed to line up a shot from 25 yards, skying his attempt, with Lewis Holtby also off target.

Hatters did managed to create an opening on 20 minutes, Harry Cornick's flick header from James Bree's cross nestling on the roof of the net, before the attacker then turned provider, with some superb skill to beat his man twice and dink over a ball that Collins nodded wide, when he should have left it for the onrushing Luke Berry.

However, with 28 gone, Luton had the equaliser they craved, not caring a jot for the untidy nature of the strike, Bree's free kick flicked on Berry for Hayden Carter to deflect past keeper Christian Walton and into the net.

Buoyed by the leveller, Town made it even better just seven minutes later, moving 2-1 in front, as a corner from the left was turned into his own net by Johnson this time, who was unable to sort his feet out in time.

There was even better news to come from Elland Road, with Charlton falling 2-0 behind at champions Leeds United, coupled with Birmingham being beaten by Derby saw Luton into the relative safety of 20th.

However, goals for Barnsley and Wigan against Brentford and Fulham meant that it wasn't all plain sailing, Hatters knowing an equaliser would see them straight back into the drop zone once more.

An equaliser for Fulham at Wigan further strengthened the Hatters position, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanz had appeals for a penalty turned down, as he came off worse in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge inside the area.

Rovers had huge amounts of possession in the opening exchanges, but didn't do a great deal with it and were made to pay on the hour when Cornick broke into the area and was sent tumbling to the ground by Jacob Davenport.

Referee Darren Bond did award the spotkick this time, Collins stepped up, and despite slipping in his run up, hammered the ball straight down the middle.

A fourth almost followed, Cornick doing superbly to go on the outside and send over a cross that was taken off Collins' head, before Rothwell wasted an inviting free kick, hammering it well over.

Just when it looked like Luton were going to enjoy a comfortable last 15, Rovers pulled one back, when a long free kick into the box was nodded down for sub Sam Gallagher to deftly volley past Sluga.

In a flash it was almost 3-3, John Buckley's volley deflecting just wide with Sluga beaten, before Joseph Rankin-Costello headed behind at the far post.

Jones threw Danny Hylton and LuaLua on with Hylton almost settling the increasing tension latching on to a mistake at the back, only to drag wide of the target.

Just when it couldn't become any more unbearable, news filtered through of a goal for Barnsley at Brentford, meaning the Hatters would drop back into the bottom three if they conceded, and having to wait on tenterhooks to see if Wigan's points appeal failed.

Elliot Bennett fired wide, but despite the visitors going longer and longer, Pearson heroically emerged off the bench to help repel Rovers' attacks and Town clung on through seven added minutes to ensure they are a Championship side next season, as Hull, Charlton and Wigan all fell through the trapdoor.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, James Bree, Martin Cranie, Sonny Bradley (C), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee (Matty Pearson 78), Harry Cornick (Kazenga LuaLua 71), James Collins (Danny Hylton 72).

Subs not used: James Shea, Jacob Butterfield, Callum McManaman, Andrew Shinnie, George Moncur, Peter Kioso.

Rovers: Christian Walton, Ryan Nambe, Bradley Johnson, Adam Armstrong (Sam Gallagher 61), Joe Rothwell (Elliot Bennett 78), Ben Brereton (Danny Graham 61), Lewis Holtby (Jacob Davenport 46), Darragh Lenihan (C), Lewis Travis (John Buckley 46), Joseph Rankin-Costello, Hayden Carter.

Subs not used: Jordan Eastham, Harry Chapman, Amari'i Bell, Elliott Bennett, Jack Vale.

Booked: Travis, Cornick, Berry, Carter-Vickers, Hylton.

Referee: Darren Bond

Jones left 'relieved, tired and drained' after leading Town to Championship safety

Hatters chief hails his players as they beat the drop by defeating Blackburn

Luton boss Nathan Jones declared himself ‘relieved, tired and drained’ after masterminding the Hatters’ Championship survival by beating Blackburn Rovers 3-2 on a tension-filled evening at Kenilworth Road tonight.

Needing a win to stay up, Town fell behind in the first half, but then led 3-1 after an hour, courtesy of two own goals and James Collins’ penalty.

They they conceded again with 15 to go, but held on to get the victory they needed, eventually finishing in 19th place, two points clear of the drop, sending Hull, Charlton and Wigan down instead.

An elated Jones, who took over during lockdown with the club six points adrift of safety and the bookies favourite to go down, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Relieved, tired, drained, but absolutely delighted.

"What we’ve just done is a fantastic achievement.

“To come back from effectively seven points to get a two point buffer is a phenomenal achievement.

“This group have been written off, but we knew they were Championship players when we signed them in League Two and they just proved it and I’m so proud of them.

“I’m devastated that there’s not a full house here to see it because if there was it would’ve been one of the great, great nights at Kenilworth Road.

“It’s unbelievable. What a feeling. I’m so proud of them, so proud of the club, I’m so proud to be manager of the football club and that sums it up for me.”

When asked if it was the best moment of his career, Jones said: “Not at the minute, but it will be, I’m sure.

“We’ve been promoted, I’ve had good times as a player, I’m lucky enough to have had five promotions as a player and one-and-a-half (as manager) because I celebrated Luton’s promotion when they went up from League One in the Championship.

“We just have great times here.”

Luton boss calls on fans to finally put his exit to bed after keeping the Hatters in the Championship

Town chief always believed his players had what it took to stay up

Luton chief Nathan Jones has called for supporters put to bed once and for all the manner of his exit from Kenilworth Road back in January 2019.

The Hatters boss quit the club in the middle of an ultimately successful promotion battle in League One for the Championship, joining Stoke City, a departure that incensed both fans and the club’s board alike.

However, after being sacked from the Bet 365 Stadium in November, Jones then returned to Town just under two months ago, chosen to replace Graeme Jones, who had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

His appointment didn't go down well with everyone, attracting a fair amount of criticism on social media, but with the Hatters looking dead certs for relegation, he garnered 16 points from the final nine games, to keep the club up on drama-filled night yesterday evening, beating Blackburn Rovers 3-2.

Speaking afterwards, a passionate Jones urged any supporters who still harbors ill feeling towards him, to unite behind the club, saying: "Look, I went away, but I want to put this to bed now.

"I’ll say to the fans, I apologise for leaving this football club, I apologise for leaving this football club, but I’m back.

“It’s got to be put to bed now because we’re a Championship club.

“We said that by 2020 we would be a Championship club.

“No-one would believed it and everyone would’ve absolutely taken it with a million, million per cent, but now we’re a Championship side and we have to be together.

“I’m so proud of this group. I’ve kept every promise I made to this football club and now we move forward.”

Although Luton looked dead and buried ahead of the Championship resumption, six points adrift of safety, seven with their goal difference, and facing an opening three games against Preston, Swansea and Leeds United, Jones fully believed they could do it.

He continued: “I never doubted it, never doubted it that with this group that we would stay up, I never doubted it, not for one minute, from moment one.

“I wouldn’t have come back otherwise. I had more offers with more money with easier jobs, closer to home – and I live a wonderful home, but I’ll have to move out of that, trust me.

“If I didn’t believe wholeheartedly that this group couldn’t stay in the Championship, I wouldn’t have come back. It’s nice to be proved right.”

On just how he was going to celebrate such an achievement, Jones added: “To be honest, I’m going to Facetime my wife who has been as big a part of this as I have, as in the first week of taking the job we had our first daughter.

“She’s been an absolute trooper, she's been stronger than anyone I know, I'll have a couple of beers and I'll doubt I'll go to sleep."