Luton Town FC vs Blackpool (10th Apr 2023)

Report | Luton Town 3-1 Blackpool

Luton Town came from behind to beat Championship strugglers Blackpool 3-1 at Kenilworth Road on Easter Monday.

Andy Lyons had given the Seasiders a surprise lead before Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu equalised on the stroke of half-time. Top scorer Carlton Morris fired the Hatters in front with just under 20 minutes to play, before Mpanzu scored his second and Town’s third with a superb finish to secure four points across the Easter period.

Manager Rob Edwards made one change to the starting line-up from the goalless draw against Millwall on Good Friday – with Reece Burke returning to the backline for his first start since February, in place of Gabe Osho.

It was a slow start at Kenilworth Road with both sides finding chances to come by. Blackpool, who were seven points adrift at the start of play, began positively but it was the Hatters who had the first shooting opportunity.

Marvelous Nakamba, as he does so often, won back possession in midfield and played a forward ball into Carlton Morris, who fired towards goal with a first-time shot, but it was blocked behind by captain Curtis Nelson for a corner.

Lewis Fiorini tested Ethan Horvath just before the half-hour mark with a strike from outside the box, before their second effort on goal two minutes later saw the Seasiders take the lead. Fiorini was the provider as he delivered a pinpoint free-kick towards Andy Lyons who guided a header off the ground and into the top corner.

It looked to be a good response with Carlton Morris and Allan Campbell both having shots blocked within seconds of each other, before Blackpool countered and almost scored a second through Josh Bowler but his attempt was beaten away by the USA international.

Luton finally managed to find a way past a stubborn Blackpool defence on the stroke of half-time through Mpanzu with his second goal of the campaign.

Cody Drameh’s free-kick was headed down by Morris to the midfielder, who took one touch to compose himself and a second to pick out the bottom corner.

It proved to a be a pivotal moment in the match, with momentum swinging Luton’s way as they put the Seasiders to the sword in the second period.

Morris went close five minutes into the half with a low shot that he fired into the side netting before boss Edwards made a positive double change after the hour mark – turning to Luke Berry and Cauley Woodrow off the bench.

Both had headed opportunities within minutes of coming on, with Woodrow coming closest from Drameh’s cross but Maxwell was equal to it. Nakamba then went close to what would have been a first and fortuitus Luton goal as his cross was missed by Town’s number 10 but proved difficult for the Blackpool keeper, who quickly got across his goal to turn it behind.

But after persistent pressure, the Hatters were rewarded for their patience when Morris scored his 17th goal of the season. Doughty’s cross was held up in the wind and James Husband’s attempted clearance went only as far as the former Barnsley man, who fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later, Town claimed a third thanks to an emphatic finish from Mpanzu. Woodrow patiently waited for support into the box and his low cross was dispatched brilliantly by the midfielder who scored a brace for the first time since April 2019 when he netted twice against Accrington Stanley.

Alfie Doughty was forced off late into the contest following an aerial collision and Luke Freeman returned to action for the first time since December, but the Hatters managed to see out another important win which stretched their current unbeaten run to nine matches ahead of a trip to Rotherham United on Saturday.

Luton Town: Horvath; Drameh, Burke, Lockyer (C), Bell, Doughty (Freeman 86’); Nakamba, Mpanzu (Bradley 90+2'), Campbell (Berry 63’); Morris, Adebayo (Woodrow 63’).

Subs not used: Shea, Lansbury, Taylor.

Goals: Mpanzu (45+2', 77’), Morris (72’)

Blackpool: Maxwell; Lyons, Nelson (C), Thorniley, Husband; Carey (Dougall 75’), Fiorini (Poveda 75’), Hamilton; Anderson (Connolly 63’), Rogers, Bowler.

Subs not used: Grimshaw, Gabriel, Dougall, Poveda, Thompson, Patino.

Goals: Lyons (29’)

Yellows: Thorniley, Fiorini, [Morris also booked]

Referee: Andy Davies

Attendance: 9,772 (493 away)

Reaction | Rob Edwards on Blackpool victory

Manager Rob Edwards felt the timing of Luton Town’s equaliser against Blackpool proved pivotal to the comeback victory on Easter Monday.

The Hatters had been punished by the Seasiders just before the half-hour mark but despite not being at their best, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu dragged the Hatters back into the game on the stroke of half-time with a calm finish inside the area.

In the second period, Carlton Morris scored his 17th goal of the campaign followed by a second from Mpanzu to secure three points and stretch Town’s unbeaten run to nine matches in the league.

“We talked about the expectancy today and we had to deal with that. I know I appealed for the atmosphere, but it was never going to be like it was in the previous home game, so there is expectancy,” Edwards admitted in his post-match interview with BBC Three Counties Radio.

“We’re third, they’re in the bottom three so just turn up and win, but we know it’s not that. We had lots of control in the game but their only real threats were the individual quality on the counter attack. We were a little bit open at times in that first half and when they got the first goal from a set play, which is unlike us, the job is doubly difficult.

“The timing of the equaliser was key,” the boss continued. “It gave everyone a lift, the crowd a lift, some belief for the boys as well and we were able to get into them and say ‘we expected this’ and we were able to find a way second half.

“Every game is different, every game gives us different challenges. Today I felt was dangerous, we had spoken openly to the boys about it and to you guys as well. I don’t worry about us against Sheffield United, Sunderland away or Watford here, the lads are up for it, the crowd are up for it, the atmosphere takes care of itself.

“These games are always dangerous and then to go one-nil down, I thought we showed great character and belief in what we do to find a way. In the end, I’m delighted but at the time during the game, we all sensed it, it was a dangerous game.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtSsWA5wz40 – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK6EcpImvaQ – Full time scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW1WH2RozJo – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZPHDo6eWJI – Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu interview

Mpanzu bags a rare double as Luton hit back to defeat Blackpool

Championship: Luton Town 3 Blackpool 1

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu scored his first double in almost four years as Luton hit back to advance their own play-off ambitions and defeat struggling Blackpool at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The hosts had trailed just after the midway point of the first half, only for Mpanzu to level on the stroke of half time, before two quickfire goals in the second period from Carlton Morris and the long-serving midfielder ensured the points remained in Bedfordshire.

Town boss Rob Edwards made one change from the team who drew 0-0 at Millwall on Good Friday, Reece Burke replacing Gabe Osho in the hosts' back three.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, the hosts had the first opening when Morris's shot was deflected behind for a corner after Marvelous Nakamba, who else, broke up play.

A short corner routine saw Alfie Doughty's delivery palmed away by Chris Maxwell and then recycled by Burke at the far post, Cody Drameh's header falling off target.

The visitors, who looked a far better side than the one that was 3-0 down early on against Cardiff City in their recent fixture, had the first attempt on target with 26 minutes gone, Lewis Fiorini's hopeful attempt simple for Ethan Horvath.

A clumsy aerial challenge by Tom Lockyer saw the Tangerines win a free kick that led to the opening goal shortly afterwards, Andy Lyons reaching Fiorini's set-piece to bury his downward header into the top corner.

The setback sparked an instant response from Luton, Elijah Adebayo picking out Morris who saw his close range attempt brilliantly blocked, as was Allan Campbell's follow-up blast.

Blackpool might have extended their lead though, the unmarked Josh Bowler in space to see his effort batted away by Horvath, who then just about beat CJ Hamilton in a foot race to the rebound.

Town were clearly out of the slumber now, Drameh's low drive blocked behind for a corner as the wingback had another crack when teed up by Nakamba on the edge of the box, his dipping volley not coming down in time.

With seconds remaining, Luton were back on level terms when a free kick ended up at the feet of Mpanzu, who despite usually only scoring bangers, this time produced the most measured curling finish beyond Maxwell and into the bottom corner.

Keen to use the momentum gained by the equaliser after the interval, the Hatters couldn't quite manage to do so early on, the dangerous Bowler seeing his attempt deflect into the hands of Horvath.

Town did start to up the tempo, Morris bursting into the box and appeared to have beaten Maxwell at his near post, but fired into the side-netting, punching the turf in frustration with half the ground thinking it was in.

Still the Tangerines, who needed the points for their own reasons, pressed, Morgan Rogers' shooting well over the top on the hour mark.

With 63 minutes on the clock, Edwards made two changes to try and pep up the Hatters' attack, Cauley Woodrow and Luke Berry on for Adebayo and Campbell, only a fine defensive clearance preventing Berry from scoring with his first touch from Amari'i Bell's cross.

Woodrow did connect with a header from Drameh's searching right wing cross, putting it straight at Maxwell, while Nakamba almost had his first goal for the Hatters in fortuitous fashion, his dink into the box missed by everyone, Maxwell scurrying across to touch it behind.

The keeper could do nothing on 72 minutes though, Doughty beating his man on the left, his cross catching in the wind, and with Husband's clearance going straight to Morris just a few yards from goal, he couldn't miss, slamming home a 17th of the season.

Luton looked to have wrapped up the points four minutes later too, a ball over the top collected by Woodrow who picked out the unmarked Mpanzu in the area.

He proved he does mainly score bangers, absolutely leathering it into the top corner to double his tally in terrific fashion, the Hatters scoring three at home for the first time under Edwards, as Mpanzu had his first double since April 2019 when he also netted twice against Accrington Stanley.

Blackpool might have pulled one back immediately, Lyons forcing a flying save out of Horvath and then Burke stretching every sinew to head his rebound away from underneath the bar.

An open final stanza saw Doughty have to go off with a head injury, Luke Freeman on for his first outing of 2023, as Kenny Dougall sent a spinning shot past the posts for the visitors.

Freeman might have put an even bigger gloss on the victory, not missing by much from 25 yards, but Town held on to take another step towards cementing a top six berth, now nine points above seventh with five matches to go now.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Cody Drameh, Reece Burke, Tom Lockyer (C), Amari'i Bell, Alfie Doughty (Luke Freeman 86), Marvelous Nakamba, Allan Campbell (Luke Berry 63), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Sonny Bradley 90), Elijah Adebayo (Cauley Woodrow 63), Carlton Morris.

Subs not used: James Shea, Henri Lansbury, Joe Taylor.

Tangerines: Chris Maxwell, James Husband, Lewis Fiorini (Ian Poveda 75), Keshi Anderson (Callum Connolly 63), Josh Bowler, Sonny Carey (Kenny Dougall 75), CJ Hamilton, Andy Lyons, Morgan Rogers, Curtis Nelson ©, Jordan Thorniley.

Subs not used: Jordan Gabriel, Dominic Thompson, Charlie Patino, Daniel Grimshaw.

Bookings: Thorniley 43, Fiorini 48, Morris 81.

Referee: Andy Davies.

Attendance: 9,772 (Tangerines 493).

Hatters boss relieved to see Town come through 'dangerous' Tangerines clash

Mpanzu double and Morris strike sees Luton triumph

Luton boss Rob Edwards praised his side for coming through what he felt was a ‘dangerous’ fixture against relegation-threatened Blackpool this afternoon.

The visitors, whose time in the Championship appears to be running out, had arrived at Kenilworth Road sitting second bottom, and seven points adrift of safety, having seen manager Mick McCarthy leave Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

With rookie Stephen Dobbie in charge, the game looking like a home banker on paper, but in the build-up Edwards had been keen for both players and supporters, still on a high from beating Watford last time out, to guard against complacency.His pleas were heightened when the Tangerines, who appeared a better side than their lowly position suggested in the first half, went ahead on 28 minutes through Andy Lyons’ header.

Town managed to rise from their slumber to level when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu caressed his finish into the bottom corner, while after the break, Carlton Morris’s 17th of the season and a more typical Mpanzu banger was enough for Luton to take the points, much to the relief of Edwards.

He said: “We talked about the expectancy today and we had to deal with that.

“I know I appealed for the atmosphere, it was never going to be like the previous home game.

“The expectancy is we’re third, they're in the bottom three, so just turn up and win and we know it’s not that.

“We had lots of control in the game, but they had real threats with individual quality on the counter attack and we were a little bit open at times in that first half.

“Then when they got that first goal from a set-play, which is unlike us, the job’s doubly difficult.

“The timing of the equaliser was key I think, it gave everyone a lift, the crowd a lift, some belief for the boys as well, and we were able to get into them and say, ‘we expected this’ and we were able to find a way second half.

“Every game’s different, every game gives us different challenges.

“Today I felt it was dangerous as well and we’d spoken openly to the boys about it and to you (the press) as well.

“I don’t worry about us against Sheffield United and Sunderland away, or Watford here.

“The lads are up for it, the crowd’s up for it, the environment and atmosphere takes care of itself.

“These games are always dangerous and to then go 1-0 down, I thought we showed great character and belief in what we do as well, to find a way.

“So in the end now, delighted, but at the time and during the game, I think we all sensed it, it was a dangerous game that.”

Luton boss felt going behind against Blackpool might have helped after a first half he wasn't 'happy' with

Town hit back from conceding first to triumph 3-1

Hatters chief Rob Edwards felt conceding first against Blackpool yesterday helped spark his side into life after a first half he admitted he hadn’t been happy with.

Ahead of kick-off, the boss admitted he had been concerned about going up against a side that Town were expected to beat, and it proved that way in the opening stages, with both players and supporters’ not quite bringing their A game, leading to a flat Kenilworth Road, the atmosphere a world away from Luton’s last home encounter, that a 2-0 win over fierce rivals Watford.

They were punished for their slow start on 28 minutes too, Andy Lyons heading a free kick past Ethan Horvath to give the Tangerines the lead.

However, the goal only served to have the desired effect on the hosts, quickly bringing them to life, Town levelling on the stroke of half time, through Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s delicate finish.

After the contest, Edwards conceded that going behind might have helped his players, as he said: “Maybe, maybe, I’ve got to be honest, it was a difficult first half.

“I wasn’t happy with it as we kind of anticipated what Blackpool might do and we probably didn’t speed our tempo up enough, but it’s really difficult when a team allows you to have the ball as well.

"Fans aren’t going to want us to just lump it and kick it out all the time, but we’ve got to try and find a good balance of keeping our directness, mixing up the diagonals, playing to our strengths and then just playing around and through.

"I just thought we could have recognised better moments to speed the game up, the quality could have been a bit better and our reactions on the turnover when we lost it could have been a bit better.

"It wasn’t quite like us, but I think that improved as the game went on, and maybe it just woke everyone up a bit and we thought we’ve got to start here.

"I do think we started, but we just needed a little bit more of a spark didn’t we, but we found that at the end.”

The Town chief had been eager to get his players in at the break and when asked if he had some stern words before sending them out for the second period, he continued: “A little bit from a tactical point.

"We allowed Richie (Kyle) and Trolls (Paul Trollope) to go a little bit more on the tactics and me to go a little bit more on the feel and what we needed to do.

"The lads responded really, really well as they always do.”

Respond they did, Luton going on to take the lead through Carlton Morris’s close-range finish on 72 minutes, Mpanzu quickly adding a third with a terrific strike into the roof of the net.

It was also the first time Town had scored three at home since Edwards took over in November, as he added: “I said to the lads, it’s nice to score a few goals as a lot of the games have been tight and today was as well in many ways.

"But it’s a nice feeling to get a little bit of a buffer, as we’ve had it twice recently.

"I know at Watford it was very late, but it was nice to be getting a few more goals as it’s good for confidence.

“We’ve been deserving of it in a number of games, and it hasn’t quite gone our way, but it’s good to be scoring a few.”