Luton Town FC vs West Ham United (1st Sep 2023)

Report | Town 1-2 West Ham

Town 1 (Andersen 90+2)

West Ham United 2 (Bowen 37, Zouma 85)

The Town battled hard but came up short as Kenilworth Road’s Premier League debut ended in defeat, with West Ham maintaining their unbeaten start to the season and running out 2-1 winners.

Despite the loss, one thing is certain, Premier League sides will not enjoy coming to the new-look Kenilworth Road, which was rocking during its first appearance in the top-flight since April 1992.

And a late Mads Andersen goal - their first at home against the Hammers since Scott Oakes’ famous FA Cup hat-trick in 1994 – was the absolute least the passionate Town faithful deserved.

Unfortunately, it was a double-header which sank the Hatters as Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma both headed home goals to allow their side to escape with all three points.

Rob Edwards made seven changes from the side that earned the Town their first victory of the season on Tuesday night against Gillingham. Last season’s top scorer Carlton Morris returned to captain the Hatters in the absence of Tom Lockyer, while Alfie Doughty retained his place in the starting line-up having scored a wonderful goal against the Gills.

The Kenny was deafening prior to proceedings and the players responded on the pitch, as Ross Barkley fired the first shot of the contest wide after just two minutes.

Some big challenges came in from the Hatters players as they reminded their visitors of where exactly they were, and this appeared to rattle David Moyes’ side, who struggled to keep hold of the ball during the first ten minutes.

The contest was evenly poised halfway through the first half. A combination of Reece Burke and Doughty worked tirelessly to deal with the threat of Said Benrahma down the left-hand side, which appeared to be Moyes’ chosen method of attack up until this point.

They threatened down this side once again in the 28th minute as Michail Antonio linked up well with West Ham’s Algerian international winger, but this time it was Marvelous Nakamba who got back to make the tackle.

From this point the Hammers began to take control of the game, and their persistence was rewarded in the 37th minute when Bowen found space between Amari’i Bell and Ryan Giles inside the box and headed home Lucas Paqueta’s wicked cross. Thomas Kaminski did get a hand to it, but the pace of the ball made it too tricky to keep out.

Town responded brilliantly to the setback, creating a flurry of chances before half-time. They were almost level instantly in the 39th minute when Morris found his strike partner Elijah Adebayo in the box, however the 25-year-old could only fire over.

Not long after, summer signing Giles showed blistering pace to glide past Bowen on the left-hand side and deliver a fantastic cross, which was met by Morris and headed agonisingly over.

At half-time, despite being behind, it was the home support winning the battle in the stands, proving that it will be a challenge to find a noisier atmosphere anywhere across the Premier League all season.

Early in the second half, Antonio laid the ball into the path of Emerson who fired home from the left-hand side of the penalty area, however, after a quick VAR check – the first at Kenilworth Road – the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Two big chances fell for either side just before the hour mark, as Bell had the ball nicked off him by James Ward-Prowse, who fired a delivery into the path of Benrahma, whose shot was blocked by Burke on the line.

Then it was Luton’s turn to go close, as Adebayo tried to latch onto a ball at the back-post, but the former Fulham man just couldn’t quite sort his feet out and the chance went begging.

The ever-present Benrahma almost doubled the visitor’s lead in the 63rd minute, but saw his shot saved by Kaminski.

Town’s shot-stopper was called into action once again seven minutes later and did superbly to rush out and smother the on-rushing Bowen, and although the forward was offside, the Belgian would not have known.

However, he could only stand and watch in the 85th minute, as defender Zouma seemingly put the game out of reach, heading home Ward-Prowse’s corner off the post and in.

To many, at this point, the match seemed a forgone conclusion, yet Town demonstrated the resilience which got them to the Premier League in the first place and grabbed their first home goal of the season during stoppage time.

Bell played a long ball forward which was headed on by Morris, and then diverted goalward by Andersen. It set up a grandstand finish, but a late, late leveller was not to come.

Nonetheless, it was the home support singing the loudest after the final whistle as their side showed plenty of fight and potential for the season ahead.

Town: Kaminski, Andersen, Burke, Bell, Giles (Kabore 71’), Doughty (Ogbene 78’), Barkley (Ruddock Mpanzu 71’), Chong (Woodrow 84’), Nakamba, Morris, Adebayo (Brown 71’).

Subs not used: Krul, Berry, Johnson, Francis-Clarke.

Attendance: 10,802 – Kenilworth Road’s biggest attendance since the FA Cup replay against the Hammers in March 1994.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDV3PYC8lA0 – Rob Edwards post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiUk2g3L0Wg – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N3Cxg4o7Jw – extended match highlights

Valiant Hatters are beaten by West Ham as Bowen and Zouma send the Hammers top

Premier League: Luton Town 1 West Ham United 2

Luton's first top flight game in over 30 years at Kenilworth Road ended in a narrow defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by West Ham United this evening, the Hammers going to the top of the table.

With home supporters having waited since 1992 to witness a game at this level, and for a number in the atmospheric stadium, the first time they would have ever seen a game of this magnitude, there was an air of excitement around the ground beforehand.

Town boss Rob Edwards made two changes from the side who lost 3-0 at Chelsea, captain Tom Lockyer missing out with injury and Issa Kabore on the bench, Mads Andersen and Alfie Doughty coming in.

The Hatters looked to make a quick start to proceedings, Tahith Chong allowed time to motor forward on the left and his cross was headed out where Ross Barkley dragged a 20-yard volley wide.

Making their best start to a top flight game so far, the Hatters weren't fussed when the Hammers looked to dominate possession, snapping into their opponents whenever there was a sniff of winning the ball back.

It took 13 minutes for David Moyes' side to really threaten themselves, Said Benrahma not getting hold of his attempt as Thomas Kaminski could watch it fly behind.

Another spell of pressure from the hosts saw Chong's shot charged down, as Giles' cross squirmed out of the hands of keeper Alphonse Areola, only for the visitors to get back in the nick of time.

Luton kept the pressure up, Doughty finding Barkley on 15 minutes, the former Everton man spinning on to his left but once more was wayward, when he should have at least tested Areola.

Having defended so well, Town were given a warning when a simple ball forward was on to the chest of Jarrod Bowen, and with Ryan Giles and Amari'i Bell not close enough, was able to have a crack which thankfully went wide.

As the half wore on, the visitors began to exert more control on proceedings and went close on 36 minutes, Mexican international Edson Alvarez denied by a last ditch block from Andersen, Benrahma curling over.

However, they weren't to be denied just 60 seconds later with a goal that was a poor one to concede from Luton's perspective.

The impressive Lucas Paqueta was given time and space to pick out a cross, as he did just that, finding Bowen who had once more escaped Bell and Giles, his close range header straight at Kamsinki, who couldn't keep it out.

Luton reacted well to going behind, Elijah Adebayo finding space in the box but opted to swivel and shoot in an instant when he had time, lofting over.

With five minutes until the break, Giles strode away on the left, his cross met by Morris whose looping header landed on the roof of the net.

Luton kept up the pressure, forcing a corner that bounced invitingly for Chong, who couldn't adjust his feet in time, nudging behind on his hip.

After the break, the Hammers thought they had extended their lead after just five minutes, Emerson taking advantage of some charitable defending to blast home, but thankfully the offside flag was raised and after the first VAR check of the season at Kenilworth Road, it was ruled out.

Luton's defensive issues were still a concern, Bell giving the ball away and thankful that Reece Burke was well positioned to clear from Benrahma at the back post.

Still in the game, the hosts were starting to create moments of their own, Marvelous Nakamba's inviting ball into the box causing confusion, but Adebyao hadn't gambled, as when he finally did, was unable to turn the ball in under pressure from Nayef Aguerd.

Town kept on trying gamely to restore parity, winning a number of corners, Burke off target against his former side with a header from one.

With their extra quality, West Ham always posed a threat whenever they ventured into Luton's half, Bowen left unmarked once more, as he couldn't beat Kaminski this time.

With 20 to go, Edwards rang the changes, bringing on another former Hammer in Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jacob Brown and Kabore, as they looked to try and salvage a point.

Town's best chance fell to Morris with six minutes to go, his close range attempt flying over, via what looked like a crucial intervention from a prostrate defender, which went unseen by referee Paul Tierney.

Luton were then made to pay just moments later, a James Ward-Prowse corner, that the hosts had defended so well all evening, seeing Kurt Zouma rise highest to power a downward header beyond the motionless Kaminski.

In stoppage time, the Hatters gave themselves a lifeline, Morris's header back into the danger area turned in by Andersen.

They then could and probably should have had a penalty with seconds to go, Ward-Prowse handling a corner, but it wasn't noticed by Tierney, and there was no VAR check to give Luton the opportunity of salvaging a last-ditch point.

Hatters: Thomas Kaminski, Alfie Doughty (Chiedozie Ogbene 77), Reece Burke, Mads Andersen, Amari’i Bell, Ryan Giles (Issa Kabore 71), Marvelous Nakamba, Ross Barkley (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 71), Tahith Chong (Cauley Woodrow 84), Carlton Morris (C), Elijah Adebayo (Jacob Brown 71).

Subs not used: Tim Krul, Luke Berry, Aidan Francis-Clarke, Joe Johnson.

Hammers: Alphonse Areola, Kurt Zouma (C), Vladimir Coufal, James Ward-Prowse, Michail Antonio (Danny Ings 80), Lucas Paqueta (Mohammed Kudus 90), Edson Alvarez, Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma (Pablo Fornals 71), Nayef Aguerd, Emerson.

Subs not used: Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell, Maxwel Cornet, Angelo Ogbonna, Thilo Kehrer, Divin Mubama.

Referee: Paul Tierney.

Booked: Emerson 82, Nakamba 88.

Attendance: 10,802.

Edwards not complaining after Luton miss out on a last-gasp penalty in Hammers loss

Ward-Prowse handles a corner in stoppage time at Kenilworth Road

Luton boss Rob Edwards didn’t want to complain about the Hatters not being awarded a last-gasp penalty in their 2-1 defeat against West Ham United this evening.

After goals from Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma put the visitors in front with five minutes to go, Mads Andersen pulled one back from close range in stoppage time.

A late corner then saw the Town players appeal for a handball by Hammers midfielder James Ward-Prowse, with the replays showing it clearly struck his arm, but VAR didn’t give Luton a spotkick, as they fell to a third successive defeat.

Speaking afterwards, Edwards said: “A lot of people are telling me that, I've only seen a still, a freeze frame at the moment, I've not had a chance to see it back.

“If it was, I'm disappointed, if it's gone against us as those are the moments you need to go our way especially at this level to get results.

"But I'm not going to complain about that now, or blame that, we've got to look at ourselves.

"Me, myself as well, how we can keep getting better.

"I don't want to keep saying the same things after the game, fine moments, basics, one cross into the box we didn't deal with it well enough in the first half and a set-piece.

"I will say that corner came from a corner that probably should have been our corner before that.

“Carlton Morris’s shot that clearly took a deflection in Carlton’s opinion and my opinion as well, and then we conceded from it.

"But I saw a team that was a lot more compact than in the last two games and I saw a team that was still aggressive and created chances, probably better chances than our opponents tonight.

"So I’ve seen some good things and progression and improvement again.

"Ultimately that’s got to lead to points, I get that, but I think we’re on the right track.”

Edwards: Incredible Hatters fans could play a massive part in Luton's survival hopes

Town boss hails Luton’s home support during West Ham defeat

Luton boss Rob Edwards believes the unity that Town’s supporters have with their side could make a ‘big difference’ to the Hatters hopes of staying in the Premier League this season.

The Hatters staged a first ever Premier League game at Kenilworth Road last night, as cheered on by a gate of 10,802 they went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat against an in-form West Ham United.

In front of their biggest home gate for just under 30 years, when coincidentally, the Hammers were in town for an FA Cup replay in March 1994, Luton running out 3-2 winners, Town were roared on by an expectant crowd.

They kept the noise going throughout the contest, with noise levels rising to fever pitch with every corner won, tackle snapped into or clearance made, while despite the hosts’ falling 2-0 behind, remained firmly behind their team.

Mads Andersen’s stoppage time header gave them hope, but despite being unable to force a leveller, supporters situated on all four sides of the ground, thanks to the Bobbers Stand being rebuilt, remained to give their players a rousing ovation after the full time whistle, as Edwards was keen to ensure his squad took it all in.

With it being a third defeat in a row though, the boss is now desperate to give them even more to cheer about, saying: “The noise was great, the atmosphere was really good.

"Our supporters are amazing, I love them and we are all desperate to reward them with some points and something to really, really sing about.

“I know they’re determined to enjoy this season, but they can only really do that when we achieve something.

"They've been incredible and they will continue to be and that will be a big thing for us this year.

"That will be a big difference, because the clubs in the same kind of fight that we're going to be in this year, they might not have that.

"They might not have the unity that we’ve got at this football club, everyone is with everyone, you can see it, you can feel it.

"We’ve got to make sure we keep that as that could play a massive part this year.”