Luton Town FC vs Norwich City (1st Jan 2025)

01/01/2025 LUTON TOWN 0-1 NORWICH CITY

Town defeated on New Year's Day

Hatters hit the woodwork twice but good run of home form ended by Canaries

The Town failed to take their chances as they went down to a New Year’s Day defeat to Norwich.

Twice the Hatters hit the woodwork and came close to going in front but against the run of play the Canaries earned all three points thanks Marcelino Nunez’s second half strike.

Defeat – only the Town’s second in their last 11 at Kenilworth Road – was harsh on the Hatters but the result leaves Rob Edwards’s side just three points above the Championship relegation zone.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Elijah Adebayo who tested Angus Gunn in the Norwich goal in the seventh minute having been found by Tahith Chong.

But the visitors then troubled Thomas Kaminski on 18 minutes through Emiliano Marcondes’ low shot.

Chong couldn’t react in time to Marvelous Nakamba’s pass into the area on 32 minutes with the Town man only seeing the ball late after Jack Stacey had left the ball.

And the Town came closer to taking the lead five minutes before half-time when Adebayo met Chong’s left-wing cross but the striker’s header was turned away well by Gunn.

In the second half the Town were relieved to see Borja Sainz miscue a shot from the edge of the box but, as the half wore on, the Hatters pushed the visitors onto the backfoot.

On 63 minutes the Hatters hit the woodwork for the first time when a flowing move ended with Chong thundering a left-foot shot against the underside of the crossbar. From the follow-up Zack Nelson’s on-target effort was blocked by Ben Chrisene.

Still the chances came. Adebayo nodded over from a Nelson corner a minute later and from another flag-kick Tom Holmes’ header was stopped by Gunn.

On 71 minutes Carlton Morris saw a shot blocked by Shane Duffy as the Town continued to press but, two minutes later, and with the Hatters on top, Norwich took the lead. Nunez was allowed to drive forward and from the edge of the box the winger arrowed a low shot across Kaminski into the corner of the net.

Behind it almost got worse for the Town two minutes later but a magnificent last-ditch challenge from Holmes denied Ashley Barnes as the visitors pushed for a quickfire second.

Edwards made four changes with six minutes left in a bid to find a late leveller and one of those came close to making it 1-1 in injury time when Cauley Woodrow’s deflected effort came back off the post with the last kick.

No points for the Town to start 2025 and it’s off to QPR next on Monday.

We’ll see you then.

Town: Kaminski, Walters (sub Moses 84), Chong, Bell, McGuinness, Holmes, Krauß (sub Woodrow 84), Nelson (sub Taylor 84), Clark (sub Nakamba 12), Morris, Adebayo (sub Adebayo 84).

Subs not used Krul, Andersen, Mpanzu, Hashioka.

Attendance: 11,828, including 1,338 from Norwich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLfjzrZjoF8 – Rob Edwards post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmH38XDcHGg – match highlights

Hatters boss comes under severe pressure as Luton lose at home to Norwich

Championship: Luton Town 0 Norwich City 1

Luton completed a thoroughly miserable Christmas as they began the new year in exactly the same manner they finished the last with what was a third straight defeat of the festive period, beaten 1-0 by Norwich City at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

To be fair to the Hatters, they had been the better side after the break, hitting the bar through Tahith Chong, captain Carlton Morris also going close, but ultimately they paid the price for falling asleep at the back once more with 18 minutes to go, Marcelino Nunez drilling home what proved to be the winner from 20 yards.

Although sub Cauley Woodrow went close to a leveller in stoppage time, the final whistle brought with it boos from all corners of what is now becoming a toxic stadium, manager Rob Edwards jeered off as he completed his lap of appreciation, the club’s board also on the receiving end of the wrath from a late section of home fans who made it clear they want a change in the dug-out before Monday’s trip to QPR.

After losses on the road at both Bristol City and Swansea City, the Hatters made two changes to their side to face a team who like themselves, have struggled badly on their travels this term, without a win in their last eight on the road, Reuell Walters starting for the first time since early October in place of the suspended Joe Johnson. Youngster Zack Nelson also returned to the team with Marvelous Nakamba dropping to the bench where he was joined by Mads Andersen and Jacob Brown.

After an opening seven minutes in which the Canaries dominated possession, Town then read a low corner routine and set off on a burst down the left, Tahith Chong, once more looking ill at ease in his wingback role, finding Elijah Adeyabo in support to his right, the forward's low drive easy for Angus Gunn. City looked to retaliate, Championship leading scorer Borja Sainz rifling over the top, before Luton were dealt a blow on 11 minutes, Jordan Clark having to go off the field and Nakamba taking his place.

Luton were thankful to Thomas Kaminski for keeping the scores level on 17 minutes as another slick Norwich move saw Sainz feed Emiliano Marcondes on the angle, Town's keeper using his feet to deny the attacker. The hosts finally started to feature as an attacking threat on the half hour mark, Nakamba teasing over a splendid cross that saw Jack Stacey opt to duck underneath it at the far post.

The ex-Hatter hadn't noticed the presence of Chong behind him, who seemed just as surprised that the delivery ended up in his vicinity, bouncing off his hip and going through to Gunn. The stopper was called upon on 39 minutes though as Luton worked the ball into an advanced area where Chong sent over a cross for Adebayo to glance goalwards, the Canaries keeper reacting smartly to shovel behind.

Norwich, who had been kept quiet for long periods, tried to snatch the lead before the break, Holmes getting an important toe-in to prevent sub Ante Crnac, who had netted twice in the 4-2 win at Carrow Road, from getting full purchase on his attempt. After the break, Luton were given a let-off when the ball rebounded out to the unmarked Sainz on the edge of the box but he could only connect with fresh air to the delight of the home faithful.

Town came within a whisker of taking the lead on 61 minutes when Adebayo showed good strength to find Tom Krauß who eventually slipped in Chong, the attacker driving powerfully against the underside of the bar with Nelson's following up hitting Ben Chrisene and rebounding behind. With Clark off, the young midfielder was now on set-pieces, and from his second, Adebayo got up to divert wastefully off target, the striker having risen well before any of his markers.

Onel Hernandez shot into the side-netting on a rare attack by the visitors but Luton kept up their momentum, with corners once more proving key, Nelson finding the run of Tom Holmes whose downward header was gathered by Gunn. The centre half had another sight of goal on 70 minutes when Town were able to win the ball back in the area from another flag-kick, his lobbed cross-shot landing on the roof of the net.

Out of nowhere, the visitors took the lead with 17 minutes left, Nunez picking the ball up 30 yards from goal and allowed to meander forward by Krauß, Bell also not getting out quickly enough as he had all the time in the world to locate the bottom corner from range leaving Kaminski incensed with his backtracking back-line.

The result was almost put out on sight seconds later, the impressive Sainz finding substitute Ashley Barnes who was in on goal, Holmes making a superb sliding block to prevent what looked like a certain second. Town then finally made four changes with six minutes left, Joe Taylor, Jacob Brown, Victor Moses and Woodrow all coming on, Luton supporters sarcastically greeting the changes made by an increasingly under-pressure Edwards.

They almost paid off in the stoppage time, Woodrow escaping on the right as his deflected cross-shot flicked against the outside of the post, meaning Town's unbeaten run of six matches on home soil came to an abrupt end, leaving Edwards' future now shrouded in real uncertainty.

Hatters: Thomas Kaminski, Reuell Walters (Victor Moses 84), Tom Holmes, Mark McGuinness, Amari’i Bell, Tahith Chong, Zack Nelson (Joe Taylor 84), Tom Krauß (Cauley Woodrow 84), Jordan Clark (Marvelous Nakamba 12), Elijah Adebayo (Jacob Brown 84), Carlton Morris (C).

Subs not used: Tim Krul, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Erik Pieters, Daiki Hashioka.

Canaries: Angus Gunn, Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy, Callum Doyle, Borja Sainz (Jose Cordoba 80), Emiliano Marcondes, Ben Chrisene (Oscar Schwartau 80), Anis Ben Slimane (Ante Crnac 37), Kenny McLean ©, Onel Hernandez (Ashley Barnes 68), Marcelino Nunez (Kellen Fisher 80).

Subs not used: George Long, Grant Hanley, Amankwah Forson, Kaide Gordon,

Referee: Jarred Gillet.

Booked: Nelson 38, Doyle 89.

Attendance: 11,828 (1,338 Canaries).

Edwards left aggrieved as Luton are beaten in yet another 'tight' contest

Town chief reacts to 1-0 Canaries loss

Hatters boss Rob Edwards was left to rue the fact his side came out on the wrong end of what he felt was another ‘tight’ encounter as they were beaten 1-0 by Norwich City at Kenilworth Road yesterday.

After two defeats over the Christmas period, losing 1-0 at Bristol City and 2-1 to Swansea City, Town completed an unwelcome treble by going down to a New Year’s Day reverse in front of their own fans. Town did have the better of things, particularly in the second period, as Tahith Chong scorched a drive against the underside of the bar, while Elijah Adebayo, who had been denied by Canaries keeper Angus Gunn in the first half, headed a Zack Nelson corner over the top.

Carlton Morris also didn’t get his shot away before Shane Duffy dived in to block, with Nelson also having calls for a penalty turned down when referee Jarred Gillet adjudged he was brought down just inches outside the box. The missed opportunities came back to bite Luton, Marcelino Nunez drifting away from Tom Krauß and when Amari’i Bell didn’t venture out to block in time, sent his low shot into the bottom corner with 17 minutes left. Speaking afterwards, Edwards said: “We’ve got to find a way, it’s all right saying small margins and fine margins, football is, but when you get those chances you’ve got to be ruthless and you’ve got to take them.

“I think we played pretty well, we didn’t deserve to lose the game, but we did and we’ve had that over the last few games. Really tight games, probably didn’t deserve to lose, but we have and I think we’ve still only got ourselves to blame. The one moment that they had that, they scored from. Either press and back up the press so he can’t turn and shoot, or don’t and talk to Tom Krauß who doesn’t get picked off. When he does turn we’ve got to make sure that we get a block in and block the shot.

"We didn’t deal with that situation well, a scruffy one goes in the back of the net, in the bottom corner and it felt like they hadn’t really been in our half for a long, long time. When we’re in that final third we’ve got to find a way of getting the ball over the line. It’s all right hitting the woodwork, all right claiming penalties, having a lot of set-pieces, having nearly moments, we didn’t make it count.

"It’s a difficult pitch. When they’re pressing us as well, if we can go into the front two and cause them problems then use that. When they get narrow we can land on stuff and then we can get it wide and get crosses in the box. I thought we mixed the game up pretty well, it was either get down the sides, or can we use the front two. The players gave everything, really tried, but in those tight games, which a lot of games are, especially in the Championship, you’ve got to find a way to come out on top.”

Once they had gone behind, Edwards waited until six minute to go before throwing on four subs, Joe Taylor, Cauley Woodrow, Victor Moses and Jacob Brown all entering the fay to what was sarcastic applause from the home supporters. It almost ensured Town got a point, Woodrow taking aim with an angled drive that flicked off the post in the last minute of stoppage time, but the lack of an equaliser meant Luton drew a blank on home soil for the first time this term.

The boss added: “We hit the post at the end, we felt even when we were 1-0 down we were still the better team. They made some changes and went to a back five. We can counter that and we changed the shape when we went 1-0 down. We didn’t change the personnel at that point, as soon as they made some subs, we wanted to try and overload their last line, get more forward threat on and it nearly worked.

“We want to try and get that first goal. We wanted a little bit more in the final third as some of the decision making wasn’t great and just a few times we allowed them to switch it quickly and they got one v ones then and good players in one v one situations when they get those switches wide. We kind of nullified that in the second half, we were better in the final third as well. We had a lot more threat, so all the stuff we spoke about at half time was good, just not that final little bit.”

Defiant Edwards insists he won't be 'stepping away' from Luton job

Hatters chief determined to turn things around at Kenilworth Road

A defiant Hatters boss Rob Edwards has vowed that he will not be ‘stepping away’ from his job despite coming under increased pressure during the 1-0 defeat against Norwich City this afternoon.

The Luton chief’s continuing uneasy relationship with supporters took another turn for the worse once Marcelino Nunez broke the deadlock with 17 minutes remaining at Kenilworth Road, boos instantly ringing out from those in attendance. With the late timing of his substitutions also sarcastically applauded, the quadruple change eventually made in the 84th minute, and some even joining in with the Canaries’ away faithful chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’, the atmosphere became somewhat toxic after the full time whistle, Edwards jeered from all stands during his lap of appreciation.

Having stated following the 5-1 loss at Middlesbrough in early November that he didn’t want to be a divisive figure at the club, asked afterwards if the reaction received made him question his position, Edwards said: “I don't consider my future, I’m in the position where I'm not stepping away from this, I'm not walking away at all.

“It makes me want to work really hard and turn this around. As well as I want to do well for this football club I've got a family to provide for, I want to work, I want to work hard to achieve something. We're in a difficult patch, we are, but let’s work through it. It's difficult of course it is, it's not nice. I'm a human being so you go round and we've always had such a good rapport with the supporters.

"I understand their frustrations because of where we are and we're losing games, I understand, I know what football’s about. It's difficult. I’ll always go round and say thank you. It's difficult to then go and say thank you when you're getting hammered as well so it's tough but all we can do is keep working hard.”

It wasn’t just Edwards who incurred the wrath of Luton’s clearly aggrieved supporters after the game, with a number of fans reserving some fairly vocal criticism for the club’s board, including chief executive Gary Sweet and chairman David Wilkinson, calling for the pair to make a change in the dug-out. Asked whether he had any chats with his CEO, the boss continued: “I haven’t yet, but we’ll see. I will speak to Gary, he’ll be in the office in a little bit.

“As far as I know (he’s still in charge), unless you know anything different. I can’t really comment on anything else. I obviously don’t make those kinds of decisions. For a long, long time, we’ve been great for each other, for the football club and obviously achieved some amazing successes here. It’s difficult right now, but all the conversations I’ve had with Gary and the board are about turning this around, supporting us in January, and turning this around.

"They won’t want the stadium like that at the end of the game, but we all understand why, because we lost. I’m realistic. I know the situation. I don’t fear that (the sack). I just keep my head down, keep working hard and whatever will be, will be.”

Although Luton had shaded the second part of the first half and were in the ascendancy after the break, Tahith Chong firing against the underside of the bar, Elijah Adebayo heading over and Carlton Morris not getting his shot away. Despite that, the crowd turned the second that Nunez was allowed far too much time and space to send his low shot beyond Thomas Kaminski and into the bottom corner.

Questioned if it was tough to hear such an instant response despite his team looking the more likely to triumph at that stage, Edwards added: “It’s always disappointing, but I understand it. They can see that we were pushing and they stayed with the lads all throughout the game and that's the most important thing, but when we're getting the results we are, I wasn't too surprised with the reaction at the end. Some of them are with us and applauding as I'm going around, but there's a lot of anger there as well. Football’s a results business and at the moment we’re not getting them.”