Luton 1 West Ham 2
Nobody could accuse Luton Town’s supporters of not doing enough to roar their team forward. They savoured every moment of Kenilworth Road’s first taste of the Premier League, keeping the volume high from start to finish, and the celebrations would have been wild if Carlton Morris had taken a late chance to equalise moments before Kurt Zouma scored the goal that carried West Ham back to the top of the table.
Unfortunately for Luton their big night would end with another lesson about the harsh reality of life at the highest level. Rob Edwards’s side fought until the end, Mads Andersen’s stoppage-time header setting up a frantic finish, but they were blunt for long spells and were not ruthless enough when it mattered. West Ham, resilient and experienced, were rarely in trouble once Jarrod Bowen had given them the lead.
Not since April 1992 had this inimitable ground played host to a game in the top flight. Luton have been through so much since then, from the agony of dropping out of the Football League in 2010, to the ecstasy of last season’s improbable promotion, and in that context it hardly mattered that a few renovations were required until they could finally step out at home. Indeed, judging by the buzz of anticipation as kick-off approached, if anything it only made the occasion even more special.
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The noise was deafening at the start, the place packed to the rafters, and there was no prospect of Luton allowing West Ham to feel comfortable. They were looking to feed off a thrillingly old-school atmosphere and were quick to impose themselves in the physical duels, rattling into challenges, contesting every 50-50, Ryan Giles tapping into the mood when he stopped Bowen from carrying the visitors up the pitch during the early stages.
West Ham had to earn the right to play. Luton pressed, Marvelous Nakamba and Tahith Chong working hard in midfield, and kept going long. Alphonse Areola, West Ham’s goalkeeper, had to be alert. The Frenchman gave his team one early scare, flapping nervously at a cross from the left, and was soon grateful to see Ross Barkley drag a shot wide after strong holdup play from Carlton Morris.
As the opening period progressed, though, doubts grew over Luton’s quality in the final third. Morris and Elijah Adebayo were struggling to make an impact up front and West Ham, whose application could not be faulted, were able to settle thanks to the composure of their new midfield pairing of Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse.
Firm in the tackle and calm in possession, Álvarez would go close to opening the scoring when he let fly from the edge of the area. Chong and Mads Andersen threw themselves in front of the Mexican’s shot, summing up Luton’s desire, but cracks were starting to appear. Bowen and Saïd Benrahma had both sent efforts narrowly wide and the breakthrough soon arrived, Luton paying a heavy price when they gave Lucas Paquetá too much time to cross in the 37th minute.
They will know better than to let a £51m Brazil international lift his head next time. There was no pressure on Paquetá and he took advantage by picking out Bowen, who peeled away from Amari’i Bell before bundling a header past Thomas Kaminski.
Luton had to keep believing. Their response was positive, Morris glancing a header wide, Chong going close, but they were struggling to stretch West Ham. Even the long balls were having little effect. Zouma kept heading them away and it was West Ham who threatened at the start of the second half, Emerson Palmieri having a goal disallowed after Antonio was flagged offside and Benrahma almost converting Ward-Prowse’s low cross.
West Ham’s inability to kill the game off gave Luton hope. Alfie Doughty cut in from the right and had a fierce shot deflected over. Nakamba swung in a cross and Nayef Aguerd’s inexplicable attempt to leave it for Areola almost gifted Adebayo an equaliser.
The pressure was growing, Reece Burke heading over from a corner, and West Ham could feel their control slipping away. A loose pass from Ward-Prowse threatened to put Zouma in a tight spot and nothing captured Luton’s growing confidence more than Giles nutmegging Paquetá in the 68th minute.
It was not a surprise when David Moyes introduced the discipline of Pablo Fornals in place of Benrahma. West Ham needed to stiffen up and were soon using their know-how to slow the game down, with Alvarez repeatedly dropping into defence to help Aguerd and Zouma.
The openings dried up for Luton. They needed sharpness when one finally appeared but Morris lashed over when the ball dropped to him in the box. It was a pivotal moment. West Ham scored with their next attack, Ward-Prowse swinging in a corner and Zouma’s header momentarily silencing the locals. Andersen’s stoppage-time goal was no more than a consolation. – Guardian
