Luton Town FC vs Bournemouth (6th Apr 2024)

Report | Morris hits winner as Town seal priceless victory

Ten games without a win and ten players missing through injury – never has there been an excuse and never have this team given up.

Whatever has been thrown at the Hatters this season they always find a way and here, a goal down and staring down the barrel of an eighth defeat in 11 Premier League matches, Rob Edwards’ side found a way to breathe new life into the quest to avoid the drop.

And after a second half performance of unrelenting pressure, they fought back to deservedly draw level on points for Nottingham Forest and lift the roof of Kenilworth Road.

On a day in which the Town knew they needed a result after a sequence that had seen them slip below the dotted line, you could argue that Edwards’ team were fortunate to go in at the interval goalless after Bournemouth – one of the form teams in the division and chasing down a European spot – had gone close following several moments of real quality.

But clearly aware of the importance of the performance, both the Town and the Hatters faithful began with gusto – but slowly it was the Cherries who gained a foot-hold in proceedings and Tavernier struck a well-hit free-kick onto the post on 11 minutes to signal the visitors’ intent.

Five minutes later Bournemouth struck the exactly same post when Justin Kluivert’s low shot hit the base of the woodwork much to the Town’s relief.

As the visitors pushed for the opener, Thomas Kaminski was called into action for the first time on 25 minutes, batting away a mis-kick from a Hatters defender in the box and moments later Issa Kaboré, who excelled all afternoon in central defence, cleared brilliantly under pressure to clear the danger with the lively Antoine Semenyo lurking for a tap-in.

Kaboré wasn’t alone in his determination among the Town defence with Teden Mengi showing extraordinary resilience to continue despite being down twice to receive treatment.

Goalless at the break the Hatters upped the ante at the start of the second period with Ross Barkley fizzing a low shot into the hands of visiting keeper Neto five minutes after the restart.

However, the Town were mighty close to taking the lead moments later when Carlton Morris was denied by a world class save by Neto, getting down to his right to keep out the captain’s goal-bound effort.

Results, though, in the Premier League can hinge on such moments and 73 seconds after Neto’s heroics, the Hatters trailed when Tavernier arrowed a wonderful low shot into the far corner beyond Kaminski.

With 38 minutes of the game still to play, however, the Town had plenty of time and, urged on by the Kenilworth Road faithful, they continued to chip away at the Cherries.

Edwards made a double change on 62 minutes, with Luke Berry and Fred Onyedinma introduced, and 30 seconds later the Hatters came agonisingly close to levelling when Morris’ left-foot effort from ten yards agonisingly came back off the post.

Still the Town kept going. A fine move saw Alfie Doughty sent a right-foot shot into the arms of Neto but, finally, with the pressure building, the Hatters’ efforts were rewarded when Jordan Clark scored his first Premier League goal. Berry did the hard work, blocking a Bournemouth clearance on the edge of the box and Clark, who celebrated the birth of son Charlie last week, fired an unerring finish beyond Neto. 1-1.

Town tails were well and truly up now and the Kenny was bouncing. Yet for all their possession, the Hatters could not force a meaningful chance to test Neto again.

But then, with 16 seconds of normal time left on the clock, the Hatters struck at the death to win it.

Another substitute, Cauley Woodrow, was the architect, arching in the perfect left-wing delivery. Morris was there and waiting. After being denied by Neto and seeing another big chance hit the post, to take this chance on took guts. This was not easy but the captain cooly guided a first-time side-foot beyond his nemesis Neto to bring the house down.

Kenilworth Road debauchery followed and after seeing out six added minutes, the Hatters could celebrate their first victory since seeing off south coast opposition, Brighton at the end of January.

“1-0 and ####ed it up” sang the delirious Hatters fans who had been reminded by their Bournemouth counterparts of the two sides’ previous meeting all afternoon.

This time, the Town had the last laugh to climb close to Premier League safety.

With a trip to Manchester City next on the agenda, securing back-to-back wins might be tough.

But, as Rob Edwards put it perfectly after the final whistle, “it’s never dull being a Luton fan”.

Enjoy your week. See you at the Etihad.

Town: Kaminski; Hashioka (sub Onyedinma 62), Doughty, Mengi, Burke, Kaboré; Barkley, Clark; Chong (sub Woodrow 80), Townsend (sub Berry 62), Morris.

Subs not used: Shea, Krul, Mpanzu, Johnson, Nelson, Piesold.

Attendance: 11,779, including 1,260 in the away end.

Reaction | Rob - It's never dull being a Luton fan

Town boss Rob Edwards admitted "it's never dull being a Luton fan" after watching his side comeback from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

Jordan Clark got the Town back on terms after Marcus Tavernier's fine low strike had gave the Cherries the lead but the Town scored another late goal to secure an important victory thanks to Carlton Morris' 90th-minute winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLY6BQtv-D4 – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jJ5z9BVXDg – match highlights

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WYApjpI__E – game day unmasked

Morris nets dramatic late winner as Luton boost survival hopes by beating Bournemouth

Premier League: Luton Town 2 AFC Bournemouth 1

Luton showed the emotion and spirit that boss Rob Edwards had called for in bucket-loads to end their 10-game winless run in quite thrilling fashion, Carlton Morris scoring in the final minute to earn the Hatters a magnificent comeback 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth this afternoon.

Town had looked like they were in danger of suffering what could have been a hammer blow in their attempts to stay up this term, Marcus Tavernier rifling home on 52 minutes to put the visitors ahead. However, with Luke Berry and Fred Onyedinma introduced just after the hour mark, the pair were instrumental in swinging the fixture back in the home side's favour, as Town were level on 73 minutes through Jordan Clark's first goal of the season.

Morris then won it at the death, with a deft sidefoot finish from Cauley Woodrow's inswinging cross to spark scenes of sheer jubilation from the Kenilworth Road faithful and manager Rob Edwards, as they breathed some much-needed life in their battle to remain in the top flight.

Earlier, the Luton chief had made two changes to the side who lost out 2-0 to Arsenal in midweek, Reece Burke fit enough to return along with Tahith Chong, the pair in for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Fred Onyedinma, who dropped to the bench. Town were finally able to use Daiki Hashioka in his preferred right wingback position, Issa Kabore in as right centre half with Burke central and Teden Mengi moving to the left, AndrosTownsend sending over a cross that Neto punched when it was an easy catch, Ross Barkley shooting over from 20 yards.

The in-form Cherries showed just how dangerous they can be from deadball situations on 11 minutes though, Marcus Tavernier letting fly with a magnificent left-footed curler from 25 yards that crashed against the outside of the post with Thomas Kaminski well beaten. Edwards had warned about the visitors' front four in the build up to the game and they began to show why, Tavernier having another pop that was inches wide, Justin Kluivert then twisting and turning Mengi, also clipping the outside of the post.

The son of Dutch legend Patrick went close once more on 18 minutes, as the Cherries broke from a Town corner and he was left unmarked to see his attempt land on the roof of the net. Luton looked to respond to the pressure, Townsend shrugging off his man to deliver a low ball that was collected by Chong who swivelled and rifled narrowly over on his right foot.

Midway through the half, Kaminski showed his now customary excellent reactions to prevent a second own goal in as many games for Hashioka, the Japanese international inadvertently deflecting a Bournemouth corner towards his own net. With Mengi twice having to go off for treatment, Edwards keeping everything crossed that he wasn't about to add to his already horrific injury list, thankfully the imposing centre half was able to carry on and return to the fray.

Luton were indebted to a brave clearance from Kabore when Dominic Solanke escaped inside the area, his deflected cross looking like it would land on the head of team-mate, as the Hatters upped their efforts just before the break, Chong's first time half volley hitting the roof of the stand and Barkley also blocked off when he let fly.

With Everton leading 1-0 against Burnley at the interval, it ramped up the pressure that bit more on Town to get a result, Morris latching on to a poor header and making his way into the area, but with no support and the angle against him, couldn't beat Neto. Barkley tried as well, getting away from one opponent and then drilling low, only to see Neto right behind it, as the Brazilian made a stunning stop on 50 minutes when Morris pounced on a loose ball, the keeper somehow palming away his low drive.

An open start to the second period saw Burke made a terrific intervention to prevent the visitors getting a tap in, but Luton were then undone on 52 minutes when Tavernier cut in from the right and this time he did hit the target, powering a terrific low shot beyond Kaminski. Town tried to hit back straight away, Barkley once more dragging an attempt straight at Neto, before he was then inches away with a powerful foray and going with the outside of the right, missing by a matter of inches.

Importantly, the Hatters brought on Berry and Onyedinma just after the hour mark and the pair were almost involved in a goal straight away, charging forward, with Morris seeing his attempt hit the same post that had denied both Tavernier and Kluivert. The duo continued to pep up Luton, Onyedinma's low cross well protected by Berry as he found Chong who played in Alfie Doughty, the wingback only able to roll a tame shot at Neto.

Kluviert almost put the result beyond doubt, hammering over on 65 minutes, but with news filtering through that Brentford had turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead at Aston Villa, which was to eventually finish 3-3, and Luton desperately needing a goal, they responded with 17 minutes to go. The increasingly influential Clark did the hard work, trying to bundle his way through, and once Berry made the perfect block tackle into his path, the mdifielder arrowed into the bottom corner with a brilliant finish to score his first ever Premier League goal.

Now with their tails up, Luton looked for a winner, Onyedinma's back post header easy for Neto, before with Woodrow now thrown on, he couldn't direct his fellow replacement's drilled cross goalwards. An excellent sprint back by Kabore stopped Solanke on one of his rare sights of goal all afternoon before the magic happened.

Receiving the ball on the right, Woodrow looked up and sent in the perfect cross for Morris to meet and angle his volley beyond Neto for a ninth goal of the season and quite possibly his most important yet. Six minutes of stoppage time were added, but unlike other times this season, the Hatters stood firm, and when Alex Scott bent his effort wide rather than into the corner of the net, you knew the points were finally staying in Bedfordshire.

Hatters: Thomas Kaminski, Issa Kabore, Reece Burke, Teden Mengi, Daiki Hashioka (Fred Onyedinma 62), Alfie Doughty, Ross Barkley, Jordan Clark, Andros Townsend (Luke Berry 62), Tahith Chong (Cauley Woodrow 80) Carlton Morris (C). Subs not used: James Shea, Tim Krul, Zack Nelson, Joe Johnson, Axel Piesold, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

Cherries: Neto, Milos Kerkez (Marcos Senesi 86), LewisCook (Alex Scott 87), Lloyd Kelly, Dominic Solanke, Ryan Christie, Adam Smith, Marcus Tavernier (Dango Ouattara 58), Justin Kluivert (Philip Billing 68), Antoine Semenyo (Enes Unal 69), Illia Zabarnyi. Subs not used: Mark Travers, Romain Jordan Faivre, JamesHill, Max Aarons.

Referee: Andrew Madley.

Attendance: 11,779 (1,260 Cherries).

Drained Town chief left with a 'great feeling' as the Hatters earn last-gasp Cherries victory

Edwards reacts to brilliant Bournemouth win

An emotionally drained Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted it was a ‘great feeling’ to finally be able to celebrate three huge points in his side’s efforts to stay in the Premier League this season after a stunning 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth this afternoon.

Down to the bare bones once more, and up against one of the most in-form sides in the division, the Cherries having lost just four league games since early November, it looked like another tough day at the office for the Hatters chief once Marcus Tavernier had rifled home from 22 yards early in the second half to put the visitors in front.

The hosts had other ideas though, as with Luke Berry and Fred Onyedinma on after an hour, the pair played a huge part in Town restoring parity, Berry’s block tackle falling perfectly for Jordan Clark to level the scores with 73 minutes gone, the midfielder scoring his first ever top flight goal in the process. Cauley Woodrow also entered the fray late on, the substitute’s brilliant cross picking out team-mate Carlton Morris to win it in the last minute, as the Hatters could celebrate a first victory in 10 games, and boost their chances of remaining in the highest tier of English football.

Speaking afterwards, asked how he was feeling, an elated Edwards said: “Quite drained, it’s been a tough period and it’s going to continue to be that way, so I’m going to try and enjoy it for a short while and then get back to work. It feels great, as it’s hard to win a game of Premier League football, especially for us, that’s how it’s proven this season.

“We knew today was important, we know we’ve got to find more as well in the remaining games, but a great feeling. We put the pressure on the lads after Tottenham and after Arsenal and for them to deliver today. I’m really proud of them, I thought we deserved it, I thought we played really, really well, showed loads of character and quality after going 1-0 down as well.

"They’re a really good team Bournemouth, brilliant players, and over half a season now they’re fifth in the form table. They’re used to winning and when they go 1-0 up they’re probably expecting to win that game as well, so we didn’t let our heads drop. We bounced back really quickly, I thought the subs made a real impact and it’s a great feeling to get that win as it was vital today.”

Asked just what it meant to triumph having conceded the opening goal for the first time this term, and with such a depleted squad at his disposal, Edwards added: “It’s big. It’s hard at the moment, it really is, with a number of players missing, key players, but that’s why I love those lads in there as well.

"They’re giving us everything, they try so hard. You’ve got Jordan Clark who’s got his first Premier League goal today, who like so many of our lads, has fought really hard over their footballing journeys to get here, to get to the Premier League, they don’t want to give this up. He’s just like loads of the lads are, brilliant stories this year. Just because we won the game we’re not out of it clearly, there’s a long, long way to go, but we’re still in the fight.”