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Luton stay in bottom three after draw with Everton

Luton stay in bottom three after draw with Everton
Luton Town miss out on the chance to move out of the relegation zone as they are held by Everton in the Premier League.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty gave Everton an early lead

Luton Town missed the chance to move out of the Premier League's relegation places as they were held to a draw against Everton at Kenilworth Road.

Everton, safe from the drop before kick-off, went ahead from the penalty spot after 24 minutes.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin coolly converted after Luton defender Teden Mengi was penalised for hauling down Jarrad Branthwaite following an intervention from the video assistant referee.

Elijah Adebayo showed exactly what Luton have been missing as the striker marked his first start since early February with the equaliser seven minutes later, the big forward proving too strong for Ashley Young before shooting low past Jordan Pickford.

Both sides had opportunities after the break with Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski saving well from Jack Harrison's deflected shot and Calvert-Lewin's header but the stalemate was not broken.

The draw leaves Rob Edwards' side in the bottom three, level on points with Nottingham Forest but having played a game more.

"We obviously wanted to win the game," said Edwards. "We threw everything at it so I am disappointed right now.

"The supporters can see when the players are giving absolutely everything for the shirt. There's pride.

"We're still in the mix and the fight, we've got to keep believing."

Bottom six of Premier League table graphic

Adebayo shows what might have been

Luton's Adebayo would have left his manager Rob Edwards harbouring mixed feelings after he made a goalscoring return with his 10th in the league this season.

Edwards would have been delighted to see 6ft 3ins Adebayo back on the mark but he will also be wondering what might have been had he not had that lengthy spell out through injury.

Adebayo's all-round game gives Luton an added dimension and he was rewarded with a standing ovation when he was substituted late on after tiring.

Luton will be disappointed not to have taken more from this game having fought their way back and created chances in the second half, particularly headed opportunities for Mengi and Ross Barkley, before a frantic finale.

They mounted a late surge that required some desperate Everton defending but could not make the breakthrough that would have made such a difference as the season enters its closing phase.

As always, Luton were full of endeavour with energetic winger Tahith Chong the prime example. Kenilworth Road once more provided an outstanding atmosphere, with the home fans showing their appreciation for their players' efforts with prolonged applause after the final whistle.

It was all tinged with regret, however, because Luton are now at the stage of the season where wins are required not draws.

Everton take the point

Everton, perhaps understandably, did not show the same intensity that brought them three home wins in a week - including the outstanding 2-0 victory against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby - now safety had been assured.

They still put in plenty of effort and none of Luton's relegation rivals can complain about Everton's approach, several desperate late clearances and resolute defending proving their desire and determination to come away from Kenilworth Road with at least a point.

Everton are enjoying the relative riches watching the relegation battle from safety after the near misses of the previous two seasons so they should now play with more freedom.

This was, given the circumstances, a predictably attritional affair although manager Sean Dyche will perhaps question whether Everton could have controlled more of the ball against a Luton defence that, at times, looked nervous.

Dyche was also sure his side should have been awarded a second penalty, after Dwight McNeil appeared to be caught by Teden Mengi.

"I know there's a lot of news and noise recently about penalties, but I'm amazed we didn't have another one. That one, from the penalties I've seen this season, I'm very surprised they've not given that."

For now, Everton can let those below them have the relegation worries as they close out another traumatic campaign.

Player of the match

BranthwaiteJarrad Branthwaite

with an average of 7.21

Luton Town

  1. Squad number6Player nameBarkley

    Average rating

    6.94

  2. Squad number24Player nameKaminski

    Average rating

    6.75

  3. Squad number11Player nameAdebayo

    Average rating

    6.55

  4. Squad number14Player nameChong

    Average rating

    6.46

  5. Squad number45Player nameDoughty

    Average rating

    6.38

  6. Squad number9Player nameMorris

    Average rating

    6.07

  7. Squad number8Player nameBerry

    Average rating

    6.02

  8. Squad number10Player nameWoodrow

    Average rating

    5.86

  9. Squad number28Player nameSambi Lokonga

    Average rating

    5.84

  10. Squad number32Player nameOnyedinma

    Average rating

    5.81

  11. Squad number16Player nameBurke

    Average rating

    5.80

  12. Squad number2Player nameOsho

    Average rating

    5.72

  13. Squad number30Player nameTownsend

    Average rating

    5.52

  14. Squad number15Player nameMengi

    Average rating

    5.23

Everton

  1. Squad number32Player nameBranthwaite

    Average rating

    7.21

  2. Squad number9Player nameCalvert-Lewin

    Average rating

    6.98

  3. Squad number1Player namePickford

    Average rating

    6.77

  4. Squad number6Player nameTarkowski

    Average rating

    6.69

  5. Squad number27Player nameGueye

    Average rating

    6.58

  6. Squad number22Player nameGodfrey

    Average rating

    6.52

  7. Squad number28Player nameYoussef Chermiti

    Average rating

    6.44

  8. Squad number23Player nameColeman

    Average rating

    6.32

  9. Squad number7Player nameMcNeil

    Average rating

    6.23

  10. Squad number21Player nameAndré Gomes

    Average rating

    6.21

  11. Squad number37Player nameGarner

    Average rating

    6.13

  12. Squad number14Player nameBeto

    Average rating

    6.12

  13. Squad number8Player nameOnana

    Average rating

    5.97

  14. Squad number11Player nameHarrison

    Average rating

    5.87

  15. Squad number18Player nameYoung

    Average rating

    5.72

  16. Squad number16Player nameDoucouré

    Average rating

    5.68

Line-ups

Luton

Formation 3-4-2-1

24Kaminski

16Burke15Mengi2Osho

32Onyedinma28Sambi Lokonga6Barkley45Doughty

9Morris14Chong

11Adebayo

  • 24Kaminski
  • 16Burke
  • 15Mengi
  • 2Osho
  • 32OnyedinmaSubstituted forWoodrowat 70'minutes
  • 28Sambi Lokonga
  • 6Barkley
  • 45Doughty
  • 9Morris
  • 14ChongBooked at 43minsSubstituted forBerryat 87'minutes
  • 11AdebayoSubstituted forTownsendat 80'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Shea
  • 8Berry
  • 10Woodrow
  • 17Mpanzu
  • 18Clark
  • 23Krul
  • 27Hashioka
  • 30Townsend
  • 38Johnson

Everton

Formation 4-4-1-1

1Pickford

22Godfrey6Tarkowski32Branthwaite18Young

11Harrison27Gueye37Garner7McNeil

16Doucouré

9Calvert-Lewin

  • 1Pickford
  • 22Godfrey
  • 6Tarkowski
  • 32Branthwaite
  • 18YoungSubstituted forColemanat 67'minutes
  • 11Harrison
  • 27GueyeBooked at 52minsSubstituted forRamalho Chermitiat 80'minutes
  • 37GarnerBooked at 9minsSubstituted forOnanaat 55'minutes
  • 7McNeil
  • 16DoucouréSubstituted forAndré Gomesat 54'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 9Calvert-LewinSubstituted forGomes Betuncalat 80'minutes

Substitutes

  • 5Keane
  • 8Onana
  • 10Danjuma
  • 12Neves Virgínia
  • 14Gomes Betuncal
  • 21André Gomes
  • 23Coleman
  • 28Ramalho Chermiti
  • 61Dobbin
Referee: Tim Robinson Attendance: 11,873

Match Stats

Live Text

Post update

Match ends, Luton Town 1, Everton 1.

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