Luton Town 2-1 Bournemouth – Carlton Morris’ late strike boosts Hatters Premier League survival chances
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Luton’s dramatic late winner boosted Luton’s Premier League survival chances as they came from behind and beat Bournemouth.
Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth an early lead in the second half, with a crisp strike from just outside of the penalty area.
Jordan Clark, however, restored parity in the 73rd minute with a clinical strike from within the box.
Morris, who had guided the ball in from Cauley Woodrow’s cross in 90th minute, ended a streak of 10 games without a win in the league in dramatic fashion.
Luton is still in the relegation zone, but only behind Nottingham Forest (17th place), who will be playing Tottenham at home on Sunday.
Rob Edwards, Luton’s manager, told BBC Match of the Day that it was a big victory. “The only thing you can guarantee in football is a victory.
“You can be organised and put in effort to execute a gameplan. But, as the results have shown, this season has been difficult for us.
“However the character that we showed, today we found the results when it was necessary to do so.”
Luton’s players, who were in third place at the time of the match, spent most of their first half chasing shadows. Bournemouth meanwhile, crafted a beautiful tapestry with their passes.
After Tavernier’s curling free-kick for the Cherries had shaved an entire coat of paint from the base, Justin Kluivert shaved another coat off the post with his low effort.
Luton didn’t register an attempt at goal before the break but produced three opportunities within a few moments after the restart.
The best was the visiting goalkeeper Neto diving full length to the right to stop the lively Morris’ rasping drive, but Bournemouth (12th) struck first in 52nd minute.
After some neat play down the right wing, Tavernier opened up to Kluivert’s laid-off and hit a low swerving volley into the corner.
Morris’ low effort at the opposite end hit the post, and Alfie Doughty slid the ball into Neto with a tight angle. Their pressure eventually paid off.
Clark scored his first Premier League Goal after Cherries defender Lloyd Kelly lost the 50-50 ball with Luke Berry at the edge of the box. Clark pounced and hooked the ball in from near the penalty area.
Luton showed a greater desire to win in a tense finish. Their diligence was rewarded by Morris, who outmuscled Zabarnyi and met Woodrow’s beautiful delivery into the goal.
A vital victory gives spirited Hatters Hope
Luton’s next match is against the defending champions Manchester City. Of the teams fighting to avoid relegation, they have arguably the most favorable run-in.
Edwards’ team, which was weakened by injuries and had 10 players missing for this match, has shown a great deal of esprit de corps this season.
This win against a stylish Bournemouth was, therefore, underpinned by the unflappable spirit instilled by Hatters boss.
Morris, the captain, epitomised this. Morris, who has not scored in five league matches, never let his mind drop and worked hard to find chances.
The forward remained composed as the clock ticked down to the final seconds and scored a ninth goal that was priceless.
Edwards was ebullient when the final whistle blew, clenching fists and roaring at the home fans who were chanting “the Town will stay up”.
This kind of result can generate the momentum that could prove crucial in the remaining six games.
Clark, who scored his first Premier League goal, told BBC Match of the Day that it was a “massive win.” We knew that after the two defeats against Tottenham and Arsenal, this was going to be a big game.
“Of course, every game is important, but we knew that this was the beginning of our mini-season.”
Bournemouth’s European hopes dented
Andoni Iraola was surprised to be linked with the Barcelona job this week. This reminded him of the brutality of English football.
The Cherries dominated the first half, but were unable to convert that dominance into goals. Their opposition refused to give up.
Iraola stated, “We could have been more aggressive in the first-half because the wind was so important today.”
“It was our first half but we didn’t harm them.” You will struggle if you lose your territorial advantage in these games.
Bournemouth’s best finish in five seasons in Premier League was ninth place in 2016-17.
Six points in their final seven matches will set a new club record for the top flight, surpassing what they achieved that season.
The defeat has shattered their hopes to play in European competitions and they are now 7 points behind West Ham, who are currently seventh.
If Iraola misses out on a continental campaign for the first time by a small margin, they will regret this result.
Player of the match
WoodrowCauley Woodrow
Luton Town
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Squad number10Player nameWoodrow
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Squad number6Player nameBarkley
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Squad number9Player nameMorris
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Squad number8Player nameBerry
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Squad number32Player nameOnyedinma
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Squad number18Player nameClark
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Squad number15Player nameMengi
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Squad number45Player nameDoughty
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Squad number12Player nameKaboré
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Squad number16Player nameBurke
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Squad number14Player nameChong
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Squad number30Player nameTownsend
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Squad number24Player nameKaminski
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Squad number27Player nameHashioka
AFC Bournemouth
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Squad number10Player nameChristie
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Squad number9Player nameSolanke
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Squad number24Player nameSemenyo
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Squad number19Player nameKluivert
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Squad number16Player nameTavernier
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Squad number27Player nameZabarnyi
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Squad number3Player nameKerkez
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Squad number1Player nameNeto
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Squad number4Player nameL Cook
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Squad number5Player nameKelly
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Squad number15Player nameA Smith
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Squad number29Player nameBilling
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Squad number26Player nameÃnal
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Squad number11Player nameOuattara
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Squad number14Player nameScott
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Squad number25Player nameSenesi
Line-ups
Luton
The Formation of a New Company 3-4-2-1
- 24Kaminski
- 12Kaboré
- 15Mengi
- 16Burke
- 27HashiokaSubstituted ForBerryYou can find out more about this at 62′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 6Barkley
- 18Clark
- 45Doughty
- 30TownsendSubstitute forOnyedinmaYou can also check out our other articles. 62′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 14ChongSubstituted forWoodrowYou can also check out our other articles. 80′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 9Morris
Substitutes
- 1Shea
- 8Berry
- 10Woodrow
- 17Mpanzu
- 23Krul
- 32Onyedinma
- 38Johnson
- 43Nelson
- 44Piesold
Bournemouth
The Formation of a New Company 4-2-3-1
- 1Neto
- 15A Smith
- 27Zabarnyi
- 5Kelly
- 3KerkezSubstituted ForSenesi“ 86′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 4L CookSubstituted forScottWhat is the best way to get in touch with you? 87′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 10Christie
- 16TavernierSubstituted forOuYou can find out more about this attaraat 59′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 19KluivertSubstituted forBillingYou can also check out our other articles. 68′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 24SemenyoSubstituted forÃnalYou can find out more about this at 69′The following are some of the most recent and relevant articles.
- 9Solanke
Substitutes
- 8Faivre
- 11Ouattara
- 14Scott
- 23Hill
- 25Senesi
- 26Ãnal
- 29Billing
- 37Aarons
- 42Travers
- Referee:
- Andy Madley
- Attendance:
- 11,797
Live Text
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Match ends: Luton Town 1, Bournemouth 2.
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Second half ends with Luton Town 1, Bournemouth 2.
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Corner, Luton Town Dango Ouattara conceded the goal.
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Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town), wins a penalty kick in the offensive half.
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Adam Smith (Bournemouth) is fouled.
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Luke Berry (Luton Town), who is in the defensive third, wins a penalty kick.
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Foul by Ryan Christie, Bournemouth
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Goal! Luton Town 1, Bournemouth 2. Carlton Morris (Luton Town), right footed strike from very close range, to the bottom left corner. Cauley Woodrow assisted with a cross.
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Substitution, Bournemouth. Lewis Cook is replaced by Alex Scott.
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Substitution, Bournemouth. Marcos Senesi replaces Milos Kerkez.
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Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Issa Kaboré.
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Attempt blocked. Dominic Solanke’s (Bournemouth), right-footed left-footed effort from a difficult left angle is blocked. Philip Billing assists.
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Attempt blocked. Carlton Morris’s right footed strike from the left side is blocked. Teden Mengi assists.
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Attempt missed. Fred Onyedinma, Luton Town, misses the left with his header from centre of box. Cauley Woodrow provided the assist with a crossed.
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Corner, Luton Town Conceded Lloyd Kelly.
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Substitution for Luton Town. Cauley Woodrow replaces Tahith Chong.
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Issa Kaboré (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth, is fouled.
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Attempt saved. Fred Onyedinma’s (Luton Town), header from the left side of box is saved at the centre of goal. Carlton Morris assists.
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Attempt saved. Fred Onyedinma’s (Luton Town), centre-box header is saved by the top-center of the goal. Jordan Clark provided the assist with a crossing.
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