West Bromwich Albion vs Luton Town FC (14th Aug 2021)

West Brom 3-2 Luton Town

The Hatters were beaten by a West Brom side playing their first home game since being relegated from the Premier League this afternoon, but didn't go down without a fight having been 3-0 down with 20 minutes to go.

Albion controlled the game from the start and led through an early Kal Naismith own goal, and further strikes from Callum Robinson and Karlan Grant.

But the Hatters, who saw Jordan Clark carried off on a stretcher after suffering a serious blow to the head early in the second half, made the Baggies sweat with goals from Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, on his 300th appearance for the club, making the scoreline respectable in a game that ended with 16 minutes of added time.

Manager Nathan Jones named an unchanged team to the one that beat Peterborough 3-0 at home in the season opener, with the only change being on the bench where Dion Pereira replaced Glen Rea, who was unwell on the morning of the game.

Albion had the game's first attempt on goal in the opening minute, Callum Robinson 20-yard curler clearing Simon Sluga's crossbar, but it wasn't long before they had the lead - Darnell Furlong's long throw from the right headed past his own keeper by captain Kal Naismith in the fifth minute.

Backed by a raucous home crowd and buoyed by the goal, the Baggies were well on top on the early stages, Grady Diangana trying his luck from distance and Karlan Grant's shot from a short corner routine blocked, with Allan Campbell becoming the first player to see yellow for a late challenge in between.

Sluga was equal to another Grant drive on 25 minutes, Furlong firing the rebound over, before Albion's summer signing from Barnsley, Alex Mowatt, went into ref Tim Robinson's book for a foul that halted Fred Onyedinma's progress down the left.

The Hatters' Croatian keeper was on his mettle again soon after the half-hour, turning a Matt Clarke header from another Furlong throw over his bar, then denying the on-loan Brighton centre-half's near-post flick with Naismith managing to divert a header from Robinson wide in between.

There was no denying Robinson from that resulting corner though, the former Sheffield United striker nodding home at the far post from another set piece routine on 36 minutes.

Gabe Osho made a timely intervention to prevent Grant sliding a ball into the path of Robinson, as the clock ticked towards the end of a half dominated from start to finish by the hosts.

Jones made a change at the break, bringing Henri Lansbury into midfield and taking Onyedinma off. He was soon having to make a second switch, with Clark suffering a heavy blow to the heas when he went bravely into a challenge with England keeper Sam Johnstone.

The game was held up for 11 minutes as the Town attacker was treated on the pitch, before being carried off on a stretcher to applause from all four sides of The Hawthorns, Admiral Muskwe coming on in his place.

It was 3-0 in the 66th minute when Robinson drove into the Town box and set Grant up for an emphatic volley past Sluga.

Town grabbed a goal back four minutes later when Campbell charged down Conor Townsend's attempted clearance, and the ball ricocheted across the six-yard box for Cornick to slot in his second goal of the season.

Osho was booked for pulling Townsend back in the 74th minute, substitute Matt Phillips rattling the woodwork with the resulting free-kick, with Jones replacing Campbell with Peter Kioso.

He made a fourth substitution, bringing Cameron Jerome on in the 88th minute for Adebayo, and within seconds the Town had created a chance for Amari'i Bell to square across the box for Muskwe, but his attempt was deflected behind.

Then, with 16 minutes of added time just announced, Bree crossed low for the former Leicester man to steer another shot on target, only for Johnstone to repel his effort.

The Hatters were now having a real go, and after Johnstone had come out of his box to win a race to the ball with Jerome, Cornick's attempt to send it back over his head was wayward, and Bell couldn't direct his shot on target after doing well to retrieve possession.

A Cornick long throw led to concern in the hosts' box, with Mpanzu calling Johnstone into action in the 97th minute - seconds before the longest serving player marked his 300th appearance with as simple a goal as he's ever scored, after Cornick's initial shot was blocked.

Goals:

Albion - Naismith (OG) 5, Robinson 36, Grant 66

Town - Cornick 70, Mpanzu 90+8

Nathan Jones' verdict on loss against West Brom

Manager Nathan Jones wanted more from his players following the 3-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns this afternoon.

The hosts took a commanding two-goal lead into the break and added a third goal just after the hour mark, but the Hatters fought back following the head injury to Jordan Clark and mounted a good comeback attempt.

Unfortunately, after goals from Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, a third goal proved elusive, but the gaffer was more disappointed with what he had seen beforehand.

“For the last 20 minutes, we were the side we wanted to be when we came here. Before that, I was a little bit embarrassed to be honest because I didn’t prepare the team to do that.

“I take responsibility but we didn’t win headers, we lost headers in our own box and we have talked about starting games well, about not conceding in the first 15 minutes and then our centre-half, who is probably our best header of the ball in the team, because we have five missing.

“Potts, Rea, Bradley, Burke and Lockyer all missing, that is all your centre-halves missing, people you rely on at set-plays to head the ball. We were always under the cosh but they didn’t have to work that hard to do it.”

Jones also provided an update on Jordan Clark, who suffered a concussion after a clash with Sam Johnstone.

“He is conscious. It is a concussion injury so it will be at least seven days. He was brave, too brave for his own good, it didn’t look good but he is conscious and that is the main thing.

“The way goalkeepers are allowed to come out, someone of Jordan’s stature is already on the back foot, but it's no foul and no blame to Sam Johnstone. it is just when keepers are allowed to come out, if a player came out like that it would be a red card, but it is just unfortunate. He was too brave for his own good and that is the boy he is.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_KhC0jZL4 – Nathan Jones post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe3_1Bi1TuM – match highlights

Hatters come so close to snatching a dramatic point at the Baggies

Championship: West Bromwich Albion 3 Luton Town 2

It was a case of so near yet so far for the Hatters as they went home empty-handed from their trip to title favourites West Bromwich Albion this afternoon in an absorbing encounter at the Hawthorns.

Having fallen 3-0 behind early in the second half, few inside the ground gave the visitors a chance, expecting the Baggies to rack up a few more.

However, that never materialised, Luton mounting a battling fightback thanks to goals from Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu but despite 16 minutes of extra time played due to a nasty head injury to Jordan Clark, they couldn't quite find a third way through, suffering a first league defeat of the season.

Town boss Nathan Jones went with an unchanged side from the opening Championship clash against Peterborough United, Mpanzu making his 300th appearance for the club, as the visitors looked to build on their 3-0 success against the promotion favourites.

It was an entirely different proposition in front of what was a boisterous Hawthorns crowd though, many getting to see their team in front of a full house for the first time since March 2020.

A deafening introduction for the players meant it was hardly surprising the hosts started with a real spring in their step, looking to make the most of the super-charged atmosphere as they target instant promotion back to the top flight.

Callum Robinson had one ambitious attempt from 25 yards not miss by much, as you felt it was imperative the visitors got through the opening exchanges with their clean sheet in tact to given themselves any realistic chance of getting something from the contest.

Those hopes went up in smoke in just five minutes though as Darnell Furlong's long throw was hurled into the box with a real curve on it and captain Kal Naismith could only manage to back-pedal and glance his header into the bottom corner.

It mirrored Town's last trip to the famous old stadium two years ago, Donervon Daniels putting through his own net on that occasion, as the Baggies looked for a second, Grady Diangana scuffing tamely off target.

Luton's only real opening saw Fred Onyedinma on a break forward, but his attempt to find team-mate Harry Cornick was weak and easily cut out by the back-tracking home back-line.

A simple but incredibly effective corner routine saw the ball teed up for Karlan Grant, whose shot was blocked by a posse of Luton defenders, while another attempt from further out midway through the half was parried by Sluga, Furlong lofting his rebound well over the top.

The full back's long throws continued to cause problems all half, as another one propelled into the box was met by defender Matt Clarke, Sluga acrobatically turning over the bar.

Albion then upped the pressure considerably, as a raking ball into the area was met by Robinson, whose header flicked off Naismith and went wide, despite a large section of home fans thinking it was 2-0.

Sluga prevented that being the case from the set-piece showing excellent reactions to flip over Clarke's audacious flick, but he was beaten on 36 minutes, as the Baggies demonstrated their set-piece prowess once more.

Another pinpoint corner from Mowatt was curled in right under the bar, as Sluga failed to get enough distance on his punch, claiming he was fouled, Amari'i Bell's decision to vacate his post and attempt to head clear leaving just enough space for Robinson to nod into the net.

With seconds to go, Luton were almost staring down the barrel at a three goal deficit as yet another wickedly curling corner by Mowatt saw Sluga's punch more up then out, Furlong nodding against the top of the woodwork.

Town boss Jones took off Onyedinma at the break, with Henri Lansbury on in his place, but the second half then saw Clark suffer a nasty injury after being clattered by Johnstone when looking to beat the keeper to a ball into the area.

There was no blame attached to the Baggies stopper, and after a prolonged spell of treatment on the pitch, the midfielder was eventually stretchered off, Admiral Muskwe on in his place.

Luton's attempts at damage limitations were broken on 66 minutes when James Bree gave the ball away in a dangerous area and the hosts simply transferred play forward where Grant held off Naismith and easily beat Sluga to make it 3-0.

However, Luton were gifted a lifeline as after Alan Campbell's cross into the box was cleared, he managed to block Conor Townsend's attempted clearance, the ball flying into the path of Cornick who confidently side-footed into the net to pull one back.

Baggies boss Valerien Ismael replaced both goalscorers, bringing on Matt Phillips and Kenneth Zohore, the former seeing his exquisite 20-yard free kick crash against the post and bounce out.

Luton still carried a threat, winning two corners that required clearing by the home side, as they upped the pressure during the final stages, finally giving their away fans some concerted belief they could get something from the contest.

They won a number of corners, before bringing on Cameron Jerome for Adebayo due to Clark's change being a concussion substitute.

After 16 minutes of extra time were signalled, the Hatters should have made it 3-2 in the first of them, Bree's cross perfect for Muskwe, but the attacker just 10 yards out, scuffed his shot, Johnstone sticking out a leg to save.

Still Town kept attacking, Johnstone out of his area to head away, with Cornick's follow-up volley turning into pass for Bell who blazed wastefully off target.

Mpanzu almost marked his milestone with a goal, his snapshot straight at Johnstone, but he then did so with eight minutes of extra time gone, as the Baggies once again made a right hash of clearing their lines.

Kyle Bartley tried to head the ball back for Johnstone, getting it all wrong, as Cornick's swivel and shot was blocked by the covering Dara O'Shea, only for Mpanzu to roll the loose ball over the line from a few yards out.

Although there was still time for the Hatters in what was becoming a grandstand finale, despite the best efforts of Jerome, they couldn't quite create the final chance they required to snatch what had at one stage looked like an unthinkable point.

Baggies: Sam Johnstone, Darnell Furlong, Conor Townsend, Dara O'Shea, Kyle Bartley, Callum Robinson (Kenneth Zohore 71), Jake Livermore ©, Grady Diangana, Matt Clarke (Semi Ajayi 84), Karlan Grant (Matt Phillips 71), Alex Mowatt.

Subs not used: David Button, Adam Reach, Cedric Kipre, Rayhaan Tulloch.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, James Bree, Amari'i Bell, Gabe Osho, Kal Naismith, Allan Campbell (Peter Kioso 74), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Clark (Admiral Muskwe 60), Fred Onyedinma (Henri Lansbury 46), Harry Cornick, Elijah Adebayo (Cameron Jerome 89).

Subs not used: James Shea, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Dion Pereira.

Bookings: Campbell 15, Mowatt 29, Osho 74, Zohore 90.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Attendance: 23,283 (Luton 1,433).

Hatters** chief won't let his players make the same mistakes again after labelling Baggies defeat a 'wake-up call'**

Town manager hits out at his side after falling 3-0 behind to title favourites

Luton boss Nathan Jones didn’t pull any punches in his assessment of this afternoon’s 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion, labelling it a ‘wake-up call’ for his side.

The visitors fell behind after just five minutes, Kal Naismith heading Darnell Furlong’s long throw into his own net, before the second arrived on 36, Callum Robinson nodding home after Alex Mowatt’s corner caused havoc.

A defensive error then lead to Karlan Grant’s 66th minute third, as although Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu were on target to set up a grandstand finale, the hosts held on during 16 minutes of extra time caused by Jordan Clark's nasty head injury.

A frustrated Jones said: “We caused our own problems.

“West Brom are a front-footed side, they're a big side, they're an aggressive side, but if you don’t head it in your own box, if you don’t do the basics well, you’re going to concede chances and that’s all it was today.

“They didn't have to carve us open, didn’t play little triangles, didn’t play through us, didn’t cause us problems, they didn’t, what they did was play on the front foot, threw it in our box and we couldn't head it.

“We gave them a helping hand with the first goal.

"The first goal was the first time they put a ball in our box, our own centre half heads it in his own net, that’s not good enough and that’s what we can’t have happen.

“Our right back pulling out of a challenge for the third goal, and that’s not good enough, we can't do that.

“If you don’t do the basics right at this level you get hurt and that’s what we did.

“Then when we started doing the basics right, we became more front footed, looked a different side, that’s the side we came here to be.

“But that was a wake-up call as I will not let than happen again, I will not let those players do that again and whatever it takes, because for 70 minutes we were poor, the last 20 we were us, the first 70 we weren’t.

“If you don't head the ball in your own own box you're going to concede chances

"You can play in La Liga, you can play in the Premier League you can play in the J League, if you can't head the ball and you get bullied then you're going to concede chances.”

Jones was doubly annoyed as he had warned his players about just what to expect when coming to the Hawthorns to take on a Baggies side managed by former Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael.

He added: “If you come to West Brom, and let's be honest, everyone knew what Barnsley did last year, everyone knows that when the manager comes and plays, the results he gets by doing that and fair play to them.

“All we had to do today was be a little bit braver a bit more front footed, but we didn't and we got punished, we had to chase the game from 3-0 down and we can't chase the game from 3-0 down."

Luton midfielder Clark taken to hospital after suffering nasty head injury during Albion defeat

Town player fully conscious following collision with Baggies keeper Johnstone

Luton boss Nathan Jones has confirmed that midfielder Jordan Clark is recovering in hospital after suffering a nasty concussion injury during the 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

With five minutes gone in the second half, the 27-year-old went in for a header only to be clattered by Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone in what was an accidental collision, the keeper focusing only on the ball.

Clark required lengthy treatment on the pitch, before being stretchered off, with 16 minutes of extra time eventually played, the club stating following the full time whistle that he was conscious when leaving the field and being assessed at a local hospital.

Jones said: “He’s recovering, he’s conscious, it was just a concussion injury, a bit too brave for his own good really in terms of that’s the boy he is.

“We’re disappointed to have lost him, but the main thing is he is okay.