Luton Town FC vs Norwich City (26th Dec 2022)

Report | Luton Town 2-1 Norwich City

Cauley Woodrow returned from injury and scored a dramatic winner against Norwich City to give Rob Edwards the perfect start at Kenilworth Road.

The forward, brought on minutes before, picked out the top corner to secure all three points after Allan Campbell's earlier strike had been cancelled out by Teemu Pukki.

A first Boxing Day fixture for three years, Edwards made one change for his first home match in charge, an enforced one with the suspended Amari'i Bell replaced by Dan Potts - who was starting in the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since he was forced off through injury against Blackpool last month.

Carlton Morris scored the winner in the last meeting against the Canaries back in October and the former Norwich striker started up front again with Elijah Adebayo.

There was a single change amongst the substitutes, with Cauley Woodrow fit and returning to the matchday squad ahead of midfielder Louie Watson.

The Hatters began the game in positive style, Mpanzu and Doughty combining down the left to find Campbell in the box on six minutes, and his attempted curler was deflected past the far post.

Clark hooked a half-volley over the bar from the resulting corner, then the Town went even closer on ten minutes when Bree picked out Potts with a deep set piece delivery, but Adebayo couldn't divert the captain's header inside the post from close range after he had won the corner with a driving run into the City box.

Teemu Pukki soon flashed a 20-yarder over Horvath's bar at the other end, before Bree went closer still to opening the scoring, whipping a 25-yard free-kick - awarded for a high challenge on Clark - that Angus Gunn flew across his line to tip onto the crossbar, with Norwich's defence denying Morris the opportunity to profit on the follow-up.

The visitors reminded Town of their threat midway through the half when Gabriel Sara stung Horvath's palms from distance, before he skipped to the left byline and sent a low cross that eluded everyone in the Hatters' six-yard box.

The Hatters were playing well though, with Potts proving a threat at every set piece but heading wide when unmarked in the six-yard box, although the linesman's flag would have ruled it out.

Osho was unfortunate to receive a yellow card for a foul on Dimitris Giannoulis, for what appeared to be a fair challenge on the edge of the Norwich box, after referee Tim Robinson had ignored shouts for a penalty for handball against Andrew Omobamidele as the visiting centre-half mistimed his attempted header, before blocking Morris' shot.

Lockyer went into the book soon into the second half for a trip on Kenny McLean, who had been sent off for elbowing the Wales centre-half in the match at Carrow Road earlier in the season.

Adebayo was forced off by a knock just before the hour, with another former Norwich striker, Cameron Jerome coming on in his place.

Town made a deserved breakthrough in the 61st minute when Campbell robbed Giannoulis 30 yards from the Norwich goal and strode forward to fizz a beauty past Gunn, low into the corner of the Canaries net.

Horvath pawed a deflected McLean shot behind for a corner six minutes later, and Norwich were level on 69 minutes when Ben Gibson played a ball through for Pukki to fire an angled right-footed drive past the USA keeper.

Lockyer spurned two great chances to restore the lead with headers in the 74th minute, first sending Bree's left wing corner straight back to him when free in the six-yard box, then heading the return ball over the bar.

Isaac Hayden shot over for Norwich 76 minutes, and the Hatters were reduced to ten men with Osho shown a second yellow card with ten minutes to go for pulling back Pukki on the edge of the box.

While that yellow was warranted, huge question marks remained over the first five minutes before half-time, but thankfully Adam Idah blasted the resulting free-kick wide.

Undeterred, the Hatters pushed on and found a late winner through substitute Woodrow, who took a touch out of his feet and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

There was further drama when Alfie Doughty headed clear off the line in added time to preserve the three points. The result was enough to move Edwards' side up to 12th place in the league ahead of an away trip to Queens Park Rangers in three days time.

Goals:

LT - Campbell (61), Woodrow (90)

NC - Pukki (69)

Att: 9,831 (1,039)

Reaction | Rob Edwards on Norwich win!

Manager Rob Edwards said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of his players they secured three points with a late winner against Norwich City at Kenilworth Road.

The Boxing Day spectacle had everything and after Allan Campbell’s impressive opener was cancelled out by Teemu Pukki, Gabe Osho was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Not deterred by going down to ten men, Cauley Woodrow came off the bench to score a superb winner in dramatic fashion in front of the Sky cameras and adoring home supporters.

Releasing his emotions after the game, Edwards said: “It was a big game for us, it’s the first time we were in front of our home supporters, it’s Norwich City, it’s Boxing Day at night. We lost the first game so it was important to get off to a good start so there was a lot of emotion that came out at the end, just incredibly proud of the players.

“I thought we were really good, we didn’t get everything right but we’re up against a really good team and to find a way to win with ten men was incredible. I’m really pleased for Cauley and I’m delighted for the group as a whole.”

The boss, who celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday, was jubilant and showed his emotions in front of the Kenilworth Road end after the match.

“I think that is what football can do for us!” Edwards smiled. “Sport, team sport, we all love our football. We’re up against a big team, 1-1, ten men, late on, I was even thinking we would take the point but credit to the lads because it was our players who were more on the front foot.

“Hopefully it builds a real connection between us and the supporters as well because I will say it again, they are the most important people at the club and we want to get up and running with them and hopefully they realise we’re so proud to be here and we want to do really well for this football club.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGb7lcEXZA – match highlights

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAiFCqJXhk0 – post match scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tclc_Az9k4w – Cauley Woodrow interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CGLi2LLWTE – Cauley Woodrow goal for every angle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAZymYaiLG4 – Reverse angle

Woodrow the hero as Town sub comes off the bench to earn Edwards a first win as Luton boss against Norwich

Championship: Luton Town 2 Norwich City 1

Striker Cauley Woodrow came off the bench to score a terrific last minute winner as Hatters manager Rob Edwards picked up the first victory of his Town managerial career in thrilling style by beating Norwich City 2-1 this evening.

It had looked like the points were going to be shared, or the hosts would in fact have to cling on, having gone down to 10 men in the closing stages, following a second half in which they led through Allan Campbell's goal just after the hour.

City then equalised courtesy of the lethal Teemu Pukki on 69 minutes, before Luton had Gabe Osho controversially dismissed for his second booking with 10 to go.

Rather than hang on though, Edwards replaced Carlton Morris with Woodrow and he was to prove the star of the show, picking out the top corner with a quite wonderful finish to open his account for the club, as Town's new boss got up and running on home soil at the first attempt.

The Luton chief had made one change to his side from the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough a fortnight ago, with Dan Potts recovering from his fractured back to take the place of the suspended Amari'i Bell.

Town made a bright start to the contest, Alan Campbell turning to fire wide via a deflection, and then Jordan Clark spinning and shooting over the top after the set-piece dropped to him.

On 12 minutes, Elijah Adebayo, whose partnership with Morris impressed, should have opened the scoring after his powerful surge into the area won a corner.

James Bree's delivery was met by a firm connection from Potts, only to be glanced wide by Adebayo when he had to do better.

City showed they would feature as an attacking force as well, Pukki cutting in to drive narrowly wide from just outside the box.

Town were inches away from breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes, when Bree's 25-yard free kick was tipped on to the bar by a flying Angus Gunn, who just managed to bat the ball away from the lurking Morris.

Norwich also tested Horvath, Gabriel Sara letting fly from 30 yards, his swerving piledriver parried by an alert Horvath, but the remainder of the first period saw Luton, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu to the fire, doing all the pressing, as they searched for a opening home goal of Edwards' tenure.

After the break, Town were hit by yet another injury concern, as with 56 minutes gone Adebayo went down holding his hamstring and after it being apparent he couldn't continue, was replaced by former Norwich striker Cameron Jerome.

The forward had a bit-part to play in Luton then taking the lead on 61 minutes as Tom Lockyer stepped in to win the ball and with the City defence thinking the forward was offside, didn't deal with the situation properly, losing out to Campbell.

The Scotland international broke away and as he had done on more than one occasion last term, unleased a scorching low shot beyond the dive of Gunn and into the bottom corner for his second goal of the campaign.

Canaries defender Kenny McLean, sent off against Luton in Town's 1-0 win at Carrow Road earlier in the season, looked to equaliser, his deflected attempt nearly catching Horvath out, the USA international almost diving beyond the shot before shovelling it behind.

However, Norwich did restore parity on 69 minutes, an error from Potts leaving Pukki unmarked and the Finnish international doesn't miss those opportunities at this level, gleefully hammering into the net.

Norwich then almost moved in front themselves moments later, Dimitris Giannoulis nodding behind, but a to-and-fro finale saw Lockyer miss two glaring chances with 72 gone, unable to direct his diving header on target and then putting the follow-up cross into the crowd.

City sub Issaac Hayden sidefooted wastefully into the stands, before as they had done in Edwards' first game, Town had to see out the final stages with 10 men, Osho sent off for his second booking.

While there could be no complaints over his second caution for hauling back Pukki, his first, dished out by referee Tim Robinson for winning the ball perfectly in the 40th minute, was nothing short of a disgrace.

However, with Woodrow on for Morris, he made the most of Clark's never-say-die attitude to set himself and arrow a wonderful clipped shot into the top corner with a minute to go.

In six minutes of stoppage time, the Luton side to a man dug in to ensure Norwich couldn't find a way through, although they were indebted to a terrific goal-line clearance from Alfie Doughty, in just the right place to head Grant Hanley's blast away as Town could celebrate a first home victory since October 15.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, James Bree, Gabe Osho, Tom Lockyer, Dan Potts (C), Alfie Doughty, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Allan Campbell (Luke Freeman 78), Jordan Clark, Elijah Adebayo (Cameron Jerome 58), Carlton Morris (Cauley Woodrow 86).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Harry Cornick, Luke Berry, Casey Pettit.

Canaries: Angus Gunn, Max Aarons, Andrew Omobamidele, Grant Hanley (C), Ben Gibson, Gabriel Sara (Adam Idah 46), Teemu Pukki, Kenny McLean, Josh Sargent, Dimitris Giannoulis (Isaac Hayden 75), Liam Gibbs (Onen Hernandez 75).

Subs not used: Tim Krul, Sam Byram, Isaac Hayden, Kieran Dowell, Marcelino Nunez.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Booked: Gibbs 27, Osho 40, Lockyer 48.

Sent off: Osho 80.

Attendance: 9,831 (Canaries 1,039)

Edwards admits emotions got the better of him when celebrating Canaries victory

Luton record first win at home since mid-October

Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted he couldn’t contain his emotions after recording a first win in charge of the Hatters thanks to Cauley Woodrow’s last minute goal which saw Town defeat Norwich City 2-1 at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day.

The recently appointed manager had tasted a late loss in his opening match at Middlesbrough, before the next contest against Millwall was called off due to a frozen pitch.

However, against the Canaries, Town went ahead on 61 minutes through Allan Campbell’s excellent finish into the bottom corner from distance, before Teemu Pukki levelled shortly afterwards.

Gabe Osho then picked up his second booking with 10 minutes left leaving Town a player light for the closing stages, but the Hatters came on strong, sub Woodrow firing into the roof of the net in the final seconds.

It saw Edwards celebrate animatedly with the home supporters at full time, punching the air with real joy and lapping up the plaudits of what was a brilliant three points.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “When the final whistle went there was a lot of emotion released.

“It’s a big game for us, it’s the first time we’re in front of our home supporters, it’s Norwich City here, it’s Boxing Day, a night game, we lost the first game, it was important as we want to get off to a good start.

“There was a lot of emotion that came out at the end and I’m just incredibly proud of the players.

"I thought we were really good, I thought we were really good, I know we didn’t get everything right all the time, but we were up against a really good team, and to find a way to win with 10 players was incredibly.

"I’m pleased with Cauley, but delighted for the group as a whole.

“That’s what football can do to us, sport, team sport, we all love our football.

"We’re up against a big team, 1-1, 10 men, late on, and I was even thinking we’ll take the point now, we’ll take the point!

“But credit to the lads, it was them who were more on the front foot, our players.

“We sniffed it, we smelt it and football can do that.

"It just brought out a lot of emotion, but hopefully it builds on a real connection between us and the supporters as I say it again, they're the most important people at the club.

"We want to get up and running with them and hopefully they realise that we’re so proud to be here and we want to do really well for this football club.”

Edwards had received an excellent ovation before the game as he was introduced to the Kenilworth Road crowd for the first time since taking over from Nathan Jones.

His name was chanted for long periods after the break as well, as Town’s new boss hopes a bond is already been created with the supporters, knowing it might have taken time for some due to his previous time in charge of fierce rivals Watford.

He continued: “I hope so, they’re so important to us, home and away, but especially here.

"We want to keep this place being a real difficult place to come so it was really important we got off to a good start and we have.

"A massive thankyou to them tonight, I thought they were brilliant, I really appreciate their backing.

"As I know and I’ll say it again and try to never talk about it again then, I know it could have been a little bit difficult for them with me coming in, with my history.

"But I’m really proud to be here and I want us to do well for this club and hopefully tonight is a nice little start, a good togetherness and a good bond as if we're going to be successful, it’s going to take all of us.”

With Luton having struggled on home soil this term, recording just two wins from 11 matches, letting the lead slip on a number of occasions when being held to seven draws, then recording victory at his first attempt, while beating a side who were in the Premier League last term, was a big achievement for Edwards’ men.

He said: “It is, it really, really is.

"That’s probably why I was so emotional afterwards and it all comes out as you try to stay as calm as possible on the touchline, but then the emotion just came out.

"It meant a lot, meant a lot to me, my family were here watching tonight and really proud that they’re there to see that tonight as well.

"For the boys to perform the way they did, it was a really good night for the club.”

On whether the Hatters can now use this as a catalyst for the second half of the campaign as they hunt a play-off place for the second season running, Edwards added: “I hope so, we haven’t got a crystal ball so we don’t know, but I’d love us to build on this now.

"A lot of nice things came together in our first game at home, but what you have to do is take each game and work just as hard as we have, play with the same quality and we want to try and get better by the way.

"There’s still areas we can improve in, but lots of nice things came together, and we certainly want to build on that now.

"I feel right now, that we have a bit of momentum to takes us forward, so let’s try and ride that.”

Luton boss 'disappointed' with first yellow card shown to Osho after Norwich dismissal

Centre half sent off for the second time this season

Luton boss Rob Edwards was left disappointed with the first booking picked up by defender Gabe Osho that led to his second sending off this season against Norwich City on Boxing Day.

With five minutes to go until the break, the ball broke loose outside the box after Carlton Morris’s drive was well blocked, with the centre half going into a challenge with Dimitris Giannoulis, clearly winning possession for the hosts.

However, referee Tim Robinson somehow saw things differently, not just blowing for an apparent foul, but then mystifyingly dishing out a yellow card to Osho, who was left walking a tightrope for the remainder of the contest.

With 10 minutes to go and striker Teemu Pukki breaking away from Tom Lockyer, Osho then clipped the Finnish international to pick up his second caution from Robinson, meaning he was dismissed for a second time in five outings, having also seen red in the 4-0 defeat at Watford.

It means the ex-Reading man now misses Thursday’s trip to QPR, and could be out of the New Year’s Day clash with Huddersfield Town as well, although that is tempered somewhat by Amari’i Bell’s return from suspension after he was sent off at Middlesbrough in Edwards’ first game in charge.

Speaking afterwards, the Luton manager said: “I didn’t think it was a foul.

“Looking at it back now I’m disappointed with that one really.

"We felt it at the time and it does look like that it’s not a foul and even before that, possibly a penalty with a handball in the box before Carlton has a shot.

“So a bit of a double whammy there and we suffer for it now.

“We can always do bits better, so we can avoid it getting there for the second one.

"We’ve got to look at that, but I’m a bit disappointed with the first.”