Luton Town FC vs Chelsea (2nd Mar 2022)

Match Report | Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea

After a valiant performance which included leading twice against the world champions, Luton Town were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup.

Reece Burke gave Town the lead after only two minutes, heading in from Luke Berry’s corner. Chelsea equalised through Saul, before Harry Cornick put Luton back in front before half-time.

But the Blues would progress in the competition with second half goals from Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku.

Nathan Jones made a number of changes from Saturday’s win against Derby County. Dan Potts and Peter Kioso came into the Hatters’ defence, with Berry, Gabe Osho and Carlos Mendes Gomes in the Town midfield.

Town got off to the perfect start, scoring within the opening two minutes. Berry’s corner was perfect for Burke, whose header left Kepa Arrizabalaga with no chance in the Chelsea goal.

The Hatters were forced into a change early, with Jed Steer unable to continue. Harry Isted replaced the Aston Villa loanee, coming on for his third senior appearance for Luton.

Chelsea’s first effort on goal came through Saul. After a cross from Mason Mount, the Spaniard’s header did not trouble Isted who made an easy save.

Dan Potts saw a header of his own saved by Kepa, after good work from a short throw-in from Town.

But Thomas Tuchel’s side would be level just before the half-hour mark. Werner cut inside the Hatters’ defence, and the ball fell into the path of Saul who curled the ball beyond Isted.

The 'keeper was then forced into a number of saves in quick succession. First, he saved from Saul, before tipping a venomous effort from Kenedy over the crossbar.

Lukaku was next to threaten for Chelsea, firing in from Mount’s cutback. Isted made another fantastic save to deny the Belgian international.

The Hatters went back in front before half-time. After being played through by Carlos Mendes Gomes, Cornick ran through one-on-one and calmly slotted beyond Kepa.

Town would go into the break 2-1 up against the World Champions, after a breathless first half at the Kenny.

Chelsea would register the first chance of the second half. From Kenedy’s corner, Saul attempted an ambitious flick at the near post, but it was well over Isted’s crossbar.

The Blues would make two changes on the hour mark, with Christian Pulisic and Harvey Vale introduced for Kenedy and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Town would also make two changes of their own, with goalscorer Cornick being replaced by Cameron Jerome. Allan Campbell came on for Berry.

Chelsea would equalise through Werner. Ruben Loftus-Cheek found the German international with a ball forward, and he finished beyond Isted.

Danny Hylton was brought on for Admiral Muskwe, and Robert Snodgrass was given his Hatters debut as he replaced Mendes Gomes.

Tuchel made a further substitution for Chelsea, with Reece James coming on for Jorginho.

Chelsea would take the lead for the first time in the game through Lukaku. Werner’s ball across goal was perfect for the £97.5m man, who slid the ball into the back of the net.

After a fantastic performance and leading twice against the world champions, it wasn’t to be for the Hatters who fell just short.

Goals:

Town: Burke (2’), Cornick (40’)

Chelsea: Saul (27’), Werner (68’), Lukaku (78’)

Att: 10,140 (1,570 away)

Nathan Jones' Chelsea verdict

Manager Nathan Jones was proud of his team’s effort after they fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Chelsea.

Taking the lead not once but twice, the Kenilworth Road crowd roared their approval as they sensed an upset, but the Blues flexed their Premier League superiority in the second period and took advantage with strikes from Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku.

Speaking post-match, Jones said: “We wanted to have a right go and we wanted to come as far as we could have a big tie here to give the fans something to get behind and we did. I’m disappointed with certain elements because I thought we could have been braver at times, but we made big changes, we were coming up against the reigning European and world champions.

“We’re on different planets resources wide so I’m so proud of the club, so proud of the group of players and proud of the supporters because we showed the team in good light. It was televised so there was potential for the upset, we led twice, we had to defend well but we’ve given a wonderful account of ourselves and I’m so proud of everyone tonight.”

A superb record when scoring the first goal was ended on the night and the manager added: “You want a great start, and you want the first goal but that’s the first time we’ve lost since Portsmouth here in the 2016/17 season when we scored the first goal so if you’re going to lose a record, you lose it against someone like that.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2lMKYfSzg& - Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZqJmY0ilaM – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qwxfW98M3Q – Harry Isted interview

Brave Hatters go out of the FA Cup but give eight times winners Chelsea an almighty scare at Kenilworth Road

FA Cup fifth round: Luton Town 2 Chelsea 3

Luton Town's FA Cup adventure came to an end for another season as they were knocked out by Premier League Chelsea this evening, but boy did they push last year's finalists all the way in a wonderful tie at Kenilworth Road.

Ahead 2-1 at the break, with the home fans sensing something special was on the cards, the visitors, who are the current Champions League and World Club Cup holders, eventually showed their class the longer the game wore on, firstly equalising through Timo Werner, Belgian international Romelu Lukaku eventually winning it.

The Hatters were more than just plucky competitors on the night though, giving their illustrious opponents an almighty scare, particularly during the first period, taking the fight to Thomas Tuchel's side from the first minute, never once looking overawed.

That was all done with a much-changed side too, boss Nathan Jones altering five from the 1-0 win over Derby County on Saturday, Dan Potts coming in as captain, while there were starts for Luke Berry, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Peter Kioso and Admiral Muskwe.

That meant James Bree, Kal Naismith and Allan Campbell dropped to the bench, with Elijah Adebayo and Henri Lansbury missing out completely due to their knocks picked up against the Rams.

For the Blues, Tuchel opted to start forward £97.5m summer signing Lukaku, with nine changes in total from the side who lost out 11-10 on penalties against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

His team was still packed with internationals though, as Kepa Arrizabalaga, who missed the deciding spot-kick at Wembley began, along with Jorginho, Werner, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Saul Niguez, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kenedy and Malang Sarr, meaning just England international Mason Mount and Antonio Rudiger kept their places.

Looking to start fast and ensure they were still in the game, having been stung by two goals inside the opening 18 minutes in the fourth round tie at a deserted Stamford Bridge last season, the Hatters did better than that, much better.

Winning a corner on the left, Berry delivered it into the box as Reece Burke flicked it into the net via the inside of the post on just two minutes, sending Luton's already noisy support into utter delirium.

Muskwe put a header wide as Luton kept up their superb press, Chelsea's team of stars not really knowing what had hit them, with a number of misplaced passes.

However, Luton were then hit by a huge blow on just 14 minutes, when a long punt forward saw keeper Jed Steer collapse in a heap, fortunately the ball running wide.

The stretcher was immediately called for as it quickly became apparent the on-loan Aston Villa stopper would play no further part, and with no James Shea on the bench, it meant Harrry Isted was called upon, the 24-year-old, having only played two Checkatrade Trophy games in his Town career, the last way back in October 2018, and those in front of a combined attendance of just over 2,000.

He had impressed in the development games at Hitchin Town this term, but facing an arsenal of Lukaku and co was a different assignment altogether, gaining some early confidence with a wonderful clipped pass out to Kioso and stopping Saul's close-range header.

The change naturally halted some of Town's early momentum, but Luton still worked a good chance on the left after Cornick's short throw, his deep cross was hung up invitingly for Potts at the back post, whose downward header was straight at Kepa.

Close to going 2-0 ahead, the Hatters were then pegged back on 27 minutes, when a mistake by Gabe Osho saw the midfielder cheaply cough up possession in a dangerous area and the play was quickly transferred for on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul to coolly beat Isted

With Town wobbling slightly, unable to get out of their half, Isted was called upon to make two wonderful saves to keep it 1-1, first as Town were sliced open, he came rushing out of his goal to spread himself and just get enough on Saul's effort, to deflect for a corner.

Then after Tom Lockyer made a terrific block, Kenedy went for a blast that Isted athletically palmed behind, the keeper soon having the game of his life, getting down marvellously to keep out Lukaku's drive.

He almost came a cropper when rushing out to another ball forward, Lukaku crowded out, just, as when it looked like a matter of moments before Tuchel's side took the lead, Luton broke away to score again.

Cornick timed his run perfectly to latch on to Mendes Gomes' pass though the middle and the Chelsea fan kept his nerve magnificently to slot past the advancing Kepa as Kenilworth Road erupted once more.

Muskwe's hopeful shot was easier for the Spaniard, while after the break, Saul tried his luck from distance, Isted confidently holding on as if he had been guarding the net for years.

It became apparent that the visitors would dominate large chunks of possession, with Luton hemmed in for long periods, Lockyer doing well to halt Werner's advances at the expense of a corner, Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading wide.

With the hosts starting to tire, Jones brought on Campbell and Jerome to add some much-needed legs, goalscorer Cornick and Berry going off.

Try as they might though, the Hatters just couldn't contain their visitors, as on 68 minutes, Loftus-Cheek's deep ball into the area was over the head of Burke, Werner controlling in an instant and deftly flicking past Isted.

With 15 to go, Jones rolled the dice one last time, Hylton and Robert Snodgrass on, the latter making his Luton debut, Chelsea introducing England international Reece James.

The Blues made their class show with 12 minutes remaining though, a neat move unlocking the Hatters and Werner's cross was slid home by Lukaku from close range.

Town pushed to try and extend the game for a further half an hour, but they were unable to breach the Blues' defence again, as the Premier League side came through a far tough test than they might have expected to progress,

Hatters: Jed Steer (Harry Isted 14), Peter Kioso, Amari'i Bell, Tom Lockyer, Reece Burke, Dan Potts (C), Gabe Osho, Luke Berry (Allan Campbell 62), Carlos Mendes Gomes (Danny Hylton 76), Admiral Muskwe (Robert Snodgrass 76), Harry Cornick (Cameron Jerome 62).

Subs not used: James Bree, Kal Naismith, Jordan Clark, Elliot Thorpe.

Blues: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho (C, Reece James 76), Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Saul Niguez, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi (Harvey Vale 62), Kenedy (Christian Pulisic 61), Malang Sarr.

Subs not used: Ngolo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Ross Barkley, Dylan Williams, Lewis Hall.

Booked: Muskwe 67.

Referee: Peter Bankes.

Attendance: 10,140 (1,570 Chelsea).

Proud Luton boss Jones has a 'tinge of disappointment' after Town are knocked out by Blues

Visitors progress with narrow win at Kenilworth Road

Luton boss Nathan Jones couldn't help feeling what he described a 'tinge of disappointment' after his side went out of the FA Cup with a fifth round 3-2 defeat against Premier League opponents Chelsea this evening.

A much-changed Town side got off to the best possible start, Reece Burke glancing his header into the net from Luke Berry's corner with just two minutes on the clock to send Kenilworth Road into a state of frenzy.

Town were then hit by an injury to keeper Jed Steer who appeared to suffer a serious Achilles problem, with Harry Isted on for just a third appearance.

He was beaten by on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul on 27 minutes after Gabe Osho's mistake, before producing wonderful saves from the goalscorer, plus Kenedy and Romelu Lukaku.

Harry Cornick went clean through to make it 2-1 to Luton against the club he supports before the break, but Chelsea's quality eventually showed in the second period, Timo Werner and Lukaku on target in the final 22 minutes to win it.

Although proud of his side's efforts, Jones was left slightly frustrated, saying: "I’m realistically disappointed because I thought we could’ve been a bit braver sometimes in possession, but apart from that we came up against a top, top end Premier League side and we’ve given them a right game, and that’s all you can do really.

“We had ambitions of winning the game and we scored early, brilliant.

"We recovered from giving them the first goal, and score, but then they’re a fantastic side.

"You know they’re going to put you under pressure and you know you’ll have to defend really well, and we didn’t do that for the second goal.

"The third goal is wonderful. I can’t have any qualms with that. It’s top end movement that will cause the Premier League problems.

"I’m disappointed, because I felt after going ahead twice, we could’ve defended situations better, but they’ve given me absolutely everything tonight.

"I’m really proud of the club, really proud of the group of players.

"Look, we’re on a different resources-wise, so let’s be realistic, but there’s a tinge of disappointment with it.

“They’re one of the biggest club in the world, they’re World Club champions, Champions League winners and they’ve had to work hard, very, very hard for their win tonight.

"That's the important thing for us that we tested them, and we wanted to test ourselves and we wanted to test them.

"They have more quality than us, they have more resources than us, but I’m proud of the group, proud of the club, proud of how the supporters responded, because I wanted to give them one of these nights.

"You only get one of these nights when you do something a bit different and tonight, against them, was excellent.”