Luton Town FC vs Hull City (23rd Nov 2024)

23rd November 2024: LUTON TOWN 1-0 HULL CITY

Town bounce back to winning ways - McGuinness goal earns Hatters narrow win over Hull City

Two weeks on from the disappointment at Middlesbrough the Hatters showed spirit and togetherness to record a fourth home win in their last seven at Kenilworth Road as Mark McGuinness’ first goal in Town colours earned victory over Hull.

As Rob Edwards alluded to post-match, it was a response that gave him heart as the Town dug deep as they were made to work for their three points as Hull spurned a series of good chances to take a point.

Hull started the brighter and almost took an early lead inside three minutes only for Teden Mengi to clear inside the six yard box with the goal gaping – but soon the Town found their feet.

A succession of corners from Shandon Baptiste got the visitors on the back foot but in truth, in difficult conditions as the rain poured on a grey day, it was a scrappy affair.

However, those set-piece from Baptiste were causing the Tigers a problem and on 33 minutes they proved particularly problematic as the Town led from one. To end a week in which he celebrated making his international debut against England at Wembley, McGuinness got on the end of the corner brilliantly, volleying a low finish home for his first goal in Luton colours.

Ahead, the Town breathed a sigh of relief shortly before the break when the visitors’ Joao Pedro’s glancing header missed the target when well-placed from close range.

The second half was only seconds old when Tom Holmes’ superb cross from the right picked out Elijah Adebayo but the striker couldn’t make a clean connection with a header inside the penalty area.

Back came Hull and on 52 minutes the Town survived after Regan Slater’s low cross was poked onto the post by Pedro from close range.

Mengi was then in the right place and right time once more just after the hour mark to thwart Pedro after a pacey counter attack.

Hull continued to look a threat on the break, with the dangerous Abu Kamara denied by a wonderful sliding block from Holmes with 20 minutes to play.

With 14 minutes to go Thomas Kaminski was called into action for the first time to paw away a low fizzing effort from Kasey Palmer and as the game entered closing stages the Town put everything on the line to keep their lead intact.

With 60 seconds left of the 90 Hull spurned another glorious chance to level with substitute Chris Bedia flicked wide at the near post with the goal at his mercy when it seemed harder to miss.

Six minutes were added by the officials and a minute into the additional time Kaminski came to the Town’s rescue to keep it 1-0. Palmer’s shot from the edge of the box cannoned off McGuinness but with the ball diverting goalwards, Kaminski’s knee thankfully saved the day.

As time ticked deeper into the added minutes, the Town defence held firm to secure back-to-back 1-0 home wins at Kenilworth Road.

“This is a performance that shows nobody is giving up,” Edwards said post-match. The smiles and thank yous from the manager and the players at the end told their own story.

The Town continue to grind out the wins at home and now the challenge is to come on the road, where they head for the next two matches – at Leeds and Norwich on the horizon.

First up it’s Elland Road on Wednesday. We’ll see you there.

Town: Kaminski, Holmes, McGuinness, Burke (sub Burke 66), Mengi, Nakamba, Krauß (sub Mpanzu 85), Baptiste (sub Walsh 56), Chong, Morris, Adebayo (sub Brown 66).

Subs not used: Krul, Andersen, Moses, Woodrow, Taylor.

Attendance: 11,386, including 1,049 supporting the visitors.

McGuinness nets first goal as Luton bounce back from Boro shocker by battling past Hull

Championship: Luton Town 1 Hull City 0

Luton came out of what had been an uncertain international break for manager Rob Edwards with a welcome victory and an even more welcome clean sheet when beating Hull City 1-0 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Summer signing Mark McGuinness's first goal for the club, the defender on target just after the half hour mark, was enough to separate the sides, although had it not been for some wasteful Tigers finishing, it could have been a very different outcome. Edwards made four changes from the 5-1 capitulation against Middlesbrough last time out, Marvelous Nakamba starting for the first time since early October, with Reece Burke back from injury, the pair joining Tom Krauß and Carlton Morris in the XI as well.

Amari'i Bell dropped out completely, with Cauley Woodrow, Daiki Hashioka and Liam Walsh moving to the bench, Jordan Clark missing out through suspension. The visitors dominated possession in the opening five minutes, reported Town target Abu Kamara showing just how quick he is, outpacing Burke, his ball across hacked over his own bar by the covering Teden Mengi.

Luton did manage to create an attempt of note when the Tigers gifted Adebayo the ball in the middle of the pitch, his pass finding Morris for a shot that deflected behind, Shandon Baptiste's corner met by the unmarked Mengi who could only head straight at Ivan Pandur. It wasn't enough to knock Hull out of their stride though, as despite sitting in the lower echelons of the table and without a win since October 1, a run spanning seven games, they played some easy on the eye football, with over 70 percent possession at one stage.

In turn, Luton just couldn't keep hold of the ball for any significant amount of time, and when they did, hurriedly gave it away, another neat passing move by City ending with Xavier Simons slicing waywardly over. Despite Hull's dominance, it was the Hatters who took the lead from a set-piece with 33 minutes gone, another dangerous Baptiste corner flicking off the head off a City defender, falling perfectly for the unmarked McGuiness who was able to swivel and half volley into the net.

Hull should have been level on 37 minutes though, as Lewis Coyle sent over a deliciously inviting cross that Joao Pedro ghosted in to meet, only to glance badly wide. Town came out for the second period and looked to start with an intent that had been lacking in the opening period, Holmes sending over a terrific cross from the right that Adebayo got all wrong.

City looked to get back to their possession football though, Luton defending solidly enough which forced Coyle to slam over the top from range. The visitors then carved Town open in almost devastating fashion, Regan Slater with a marvellous low cross that Pedro sidefooted against the post from close range, the second time his poor finishing had let the Hatters off.

Town had to replace Baptiste with Walsh just before the hour mark, the sub sending over two excellent corners that caused real danger, Hull's defence just about clearing their lines. Kamara showed his speed once more, Mengi with the critical sliding block to prevent his cross reaching its destination, as Luton were then forced into another alteration, Burke holding his leg and going off for Hashioka, Jacob Brown also on for Adebayo.

Kamara saw his route to goal blocked the dogged Holmes as Luton thought they had added to their lead on 75 minutes as Walsh's corner absolutely bulleted into the top corner on the volley by McGuinness, but the linesman's flag was already raised for what must have been the ball going out of play before it arrived at his feet.

Tigers then started to get closer, Jamaican international Kasey Palmer having a crack that Thomas Kaminski parried, Mengi completing the job. They then missed a truly wonderful chance on 89 minutes, sub Chris Bedia meeting Ryan Longman's inswinging cross only to volley behind from a few yards out. Kaminski also came to the rescue as Palmer's curler rebounded wickedly off McGuinness, the Belgian able to somehow adjust his legs to block away, going on to celebrate accordingly, as Town’s character couldn’t be doubted on this occasion.

Tahith Chong tried to sew the points up with a break from half-way, but with Hull just about getting players back, his pass to Jacob Brown was cut out. Promotion hero Cody Drameh then rifled wide in the final moments of stoppage time as Town were thankfully able to put their Riverside embarrassment behind them, the under-pressure Edwards afforded a fine reception at the full time whistle from the home supporters.

Hatters: Thomas Kaminski, Teden Mengi, Mark McGuinness, Tom Holmes, Reece Burke (Daiki Hashioka 66), Marvelous Nakamba, Shandon Baptiste (Liam Walsh 57), Tom Krauß (Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu 85), Tahith Chong, Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo (Jacob Brown 66). Subs not used: Tim Krul, Mads Andersen, Victor Moses, Joe Taylor.

Tigers: Ivor Pandur, Lewis Coyle ©, Charlie Hughes, Alfie Jones, Abdulkadir Omur (Kasey Palmer 72), Joao Pedro, Xavier Simons (Chris Bedia 88), Gustavo Puertah (Ryan Longman 57), Cody Drameh, Regan Slater, Abu Kamara. Subs not used: Anthony Racioppi, Ryan Giles, Sean McLoughlin. Marvin Mehlem, Matty Jacob, Mason Burstow.

Referee: Thomas Bramall.

Booked: Burke 21, Coyle 37, Nakamba 38.

Attendance: 11,386 (1,049 Tigers).

Edwards praises his players' 'desire' as he knew Luton weren't 'perfect' when beating Tigers

Town boss reacts to Hull victory

Luton boss Rob Edwards knew that his side weren’t perfect by any means when beating Hull City 1-0 at Kenilworth Road, although hailed the ‘spirit’ and ‘desire’ from his players in ensuring they got back to winning ways this afternoon.

With the Hatter going into the game on the back of a 5-1 loss to Middlesbrough before the international break, and heading to Leeds United and Norwich City this week, it was essential they got something from the contest and ease the pressure on their manager. They did so thanks to Mark McGuinness’s first goal for the club on 33 minutes, but Luton were indebted to some less than clinical finishing from their opponents, Joao Pedro missing two glorious chances as did Chris Bedia with virtually first touch.

A wonderful save from Thomas Kaminski also kept out Kasey Palmer’s deflected attempt in stoppage time, as having called for a display of character ahead of the game, Edwards said: “It wasn’t perfect in terms, the performance, I know that, I don’t think it had to be today. Some spirit, some desire to block and save and then a couple of missed opportunities for them you would say.

"We need to be better at stopping crosses, but again you’ve Chongy (Tahith Chong) who’s one of the most attacking players we’ve got who’s having to play full back in the end and I thought he did a really really good job in that. So in the end, it was digging in, not most of the second half, but the final stages certainly. I need to see it back (Kaminski’s save), but it looked like it took a nick as well, and if he’s reacted to that then a fantastic save.

“It (victory) was important, but what was important was the process of it all. I can’t control the result and what was ultimately going to happen today but what was heartening for me was the way the lads stuck at it, showed some spirit, character, kept fighting to the end, in a really difficult game, so that’s the most important thing. Seeing the fans at the end as well, it gave me a lot of heart, so it was a good day.”

With Hull having over 70 percent possession at one point, the Tigers finishing with an impressive 64.1, it wasn’t enough to secure victory, as they stretched their own winless run to eight games, dropping into the bottom three. Edwards added: “Hull are a really difficult, complex team to play against and I admire a lot of what he does, Tim (Walter), with his team and how they play.

“It’s not easy to come here and if we get it right the press, it’s difficult to play against that. But full credit to them for being as brave as they were and continuing to play. They make it really challenging, they really do. I’ve not come up against that kind of style before, they make you think and make you have to be almost perfect all the time positionally. We weren’t and we had to rely on a block or a save, whatever it might be, so it was a difficult day.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2FH5Nj-v88 - Rob Edwards interview

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b12HYAL-lic – game day unmasked

Luton boss reveals selection 'curveball' after Town defender pulled out of Hull clash

Bell absent from Hull win through injury

Luton boss Rob Edwards revealed how his side had to deal with the ‘curveball’ of an injury to defender Amari’i Bell just before yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Hull City at Kenilworth Road.

The 30-year-old had been in the starting line-up to go up against the Tigers having come through two 90 minutes for Jamaica in the international break when facing USA in a CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final. However his name was absent from the teamsheet that was announced, which meant with Alfie Doughty out after suffering ligament damage too, and Reuell Walters nursing a broken foot, the hosts went four centre halves in a back four, Mark McGuinness and Tom Holmes central, with the fit-again Reece Burke at right back and Teden Mengi deployed in an unusual left back role.

To their credit, the hastily arranged back-line managed to keep a fifth clean sheet of the season, as Edwards said: “We had the curveball of having to change the team not long before the game as well. It kind of sums us up at the moment and has done for quite a long time, but full credit to the lads that went out and played, went over that line, they were brilliant, subs included as they made a good impact as well.

“The plan was because of the way they build, looking at our out of possession and pressing first, we thought a back four was the right way to go and then because we prepped that way and we had to make a change we thought it was still the right thing to do, so let’s try and keep that going. But then we had to shuffle a few people about, so credit to the lads as we hadn’t practised that necessarily yesterday.

"We didn’t get loads of chances to be on the ball and get any kind of rhythm, I suppose conditions didn’t allow us too much either, but we wanted to try and create more shape when we got the ball. Hull pressed hard as well, we struggled to get into too much of a rhythm and that’s understandable. We’re fighting at the moment, so a few out of position and a few digging in and doing what you have to do.”

Asked for an indication of what the problem was for Bell, who has suffered with hamstring injuries in the past nine months, Edwards continued: “I don’t know too much at the moment, I’ll find out.”

Having so many centre halves on the pitch meant Town were always a threat from set-pieces, even without Doughty on the pitch. Shandon Baptiste took them during his hour on the field, setting up Mengi early on, while his next delivery took a nick for McGuinness to score what proved to be the winner. After the break, and with Baptiste substituted, Liam Walsh’s also caused some real problems, McGuinness crashing another into the top corner only to find the ball had gone out before reaching him.

Edwards added: “We’ve got some really good physicality in the team, especially from set-pieces at the moment, we’re a real threat. We had another good chance before that from Teden and we knew we had that threat. Shandon’s were bang on really and then Walshy’s when he came on as well. A lot of physicality in the team in the right areas and it was nice to get another set-piece goal.”

No need to panic for Edwards as he plays down injury fears over Luton trio

Town have to take another three players off during Tigers victory

Hatters boss Rob Edwards didn’t think there was any need to panic despite being forced into yet another three substitutions during yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Hull City at Kenilworth Road.

With Town leading thanks to Mark McGuinness’ close range strike just after the half hour, then in the second period midfielder Shandon Baptiste, who has suffered with a number of injuries issues this term, had to make way for Liam Walsh, the summer signing sitting on the pitch and signalling to the bench he couldn’t carry on.

On 66 minutes, the recalled Reece Burke, who had missed the last five games with a groin problem also did the same thing, requiring treatment before he made way, before late on, on-loan Tom Krauß also had to go off, geeing up the Hatters fans as he did, long-serving midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu on for the final five minutes, as the hosts once again found themselves making a raft of alterations rather than tactical switches.

After Jamaican international Amari’i Bell dropped out before kick-off with an unspecified injury, and with Luton heading to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Wednesday evening before going to Norwich City next weekend, it looked like Edwards could be limited with his options again, but that doesn’t appear to be the case, as he said: “Shandon was just cramping up and Burkey had been out for a little while and we were asking quite a lot of him as well.

"It was more looking after him and making sure then that he didn't pick up anything as we’re pushing people. They've all come through it, Tom as well, just cramping up and getting tired towards the end. A few bumps and bruises, a bit of cramp and things like that, but I think we caught people at the right time, got them off at the right time. I don’t think that anyone needs to panic too much as we’ve got more but not everyone’s at a point at the moment where they can just go and rattle off 96 minutes.”