Luton Town missed the chance to move out of the Premier League 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 coolly converted for Lyon after Lewton defender Taden Mengy was penalized for bringing down Jarrad Branthwaite after the video assistant referee intervened.
Elijah Adebayo showed exactly what Luton had been missing as the striker made his first start since early February with the equalizer seven minutes later, the big forward proving too strong for Ashley Young to slot past Jordan Pickford from low. before
Both sides had chances after Jack Harrison’s deflected shot and Calvert Lyon’s header were broken by Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski but the deadlock was not broken.
The draw leaves Rob Edwards’ side in the bottom three, level on points with Nottingham Forest but with a game in hand.
“We obviously wanted to win the game,” Edwards said. “We threw everything at him so I’m disappointed right now.
“The supporters can see the players giving absolutely everything for the shirt. It’s something to be proud of.
“We’re still in the mix and in the fight, we have to believe.”
Adebayo shows what can happen
Luton’s Eddie Baio must have had mixed feelings with his manager Rob Edwards after his goalscoring return with his 10th in the league this season.
Edwards will be delighted to see the 6ft 3in Adebayo back on the mark but will also be wondering what would have happened had he not had such a long spell through injury.
Adebayo’s all-round play gave Luton an extra dimension and he received a standing ovation when he was replaced late on after tiring.
Luton will be disappointed not to get more out of the game after fighting their way back and creating chances in the second half, particularly for Mangy and Ross Barkley, before a tense finale.
They launched a late surge that required a somewhat desperate Everton defense but could not make the kind of progress that would have made a difference as the season entered the closing stages.
As usual, Luton were pushing hard with exciting winger Tahit Chong a prime example. Kenilworth Road once again provided a fantastic atmosphere, with the home fans applauding their players with a long standing ovation after the final whistle.
It was all tinged with regret, however, as Luton are now at the stage of the season where a win is needed rather than a draw.
Everton take the point
Everton, perhaps understandably, could not muster the intensity that earned them three home wins in a week – including a stunning 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby – now that safety was assured.
They still put in plenty of effort and none of Luton’s relegation rivals can complain about Everton’s approach, with several desperate late clearances and at least a point of their own to come away from Kenilworth Road. Determined to demonstrate ambition and commitment.
Everton are enjoying the relative fortunes of seeing out the relegation battle from safety after being close for the last two seasons so they should play with more freedom now.
It was a predictable affair given the conditions, although manager Sean Dye will probably question whether Everton could have controlled more of the ball against a Luton defense that looked nervous at times.
Dyche also believed his side should have been awarded a second penalty, when Dwight McNeill appeared to be caught by Tyden Menge.
“I know there’s been a lot of news and noise recently about penalties, but I’m surprised we haven’t had another one. That one, the penalties I’ve seen this season, I’m very surprised they did. has not given that
For now, Everton can leave their bottom side with relegation worries as they close out another painful campaign.
Player of the match
Bryant WaiteGerard Branthwaite
Luton Town
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Squad no6Player NameBarclay
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Squad no24Player NameKaminsky
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Squad no11Player NameWriters
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Squad no14Player NameChong
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Squad no45Player NameWeary
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Squad no9Player NameMorse
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Squad no8Player NameBarry
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Squad no10Player NameWoodrow
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Squad no28Player NameSambi Nursing
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Squad no32Player NameOnyedinma
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Squad no16Player NameBrick
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Squad no2Player NameOsho
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Squad no30Player NameTownsend
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Squad no15Player Namemuch more
Everton
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Squad no32Player NameBryant Waite
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Squad no9Player NameCalvert Lyon
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Squad no1Player NamePickford
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Squad no6Player NameTarkovsky
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Squad no27Player NameAs if
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Squad no22Player NameGodfrey
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Squad no28Player NameYusuf Charmeti
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Squad no23Player NameColeman
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Squad no7Player NameMcNeill
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Squad no21Player NameAndre Gomes
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Squad no37Player NameGarner
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Squad no14Player Nameson
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Squad no8Player Namedrunk
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Squad no11Player NameHarrison
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Squad no18Player Nameteens
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Squad no16Player NameDokore
The line-ups
Luton
formation 3-4-2-1
- 24Kaminsky
- 16Brick
- 15much more
- 2Osho
- 32OnyedinmaSubstitute forWoodrowOn 70′minutes
- 28Sambi Nursing
- 6Barclay
- 45Weary
- 9Morse
- 14ChongBooked on 43 minutes.Substitute forBarryOn 87′minutes
- 11WritersSubstitute forTownsendOn 80′minutes
Alternative
- 1Shea
- 8Barry
- 10Woodrow
- 17Mpanzo
- 18Clark
- 23Curl
- 27Hashioka
- 30Townsend
- 38Johnson
Everton
formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Pickford
- 22Godfrey
- 6Tarkovsky
- 32Bryant Waite
- 18teensSubstitute forColemanOn 67′minutes
- 11Harrison
- 27As ifBooked on 52 minutes.Substitute forRimalho CharmetiOn 80′minutes
- 37GarnerBooked at 9 minutes.Substitute fordrunkOn 55′minutes
- 7McNeill
- 16DokoreSubstitute forAndre GomesOn 54′minutesBooked at 90 minutes.
- 9Calvert LyonSubstitute forGomes BettincleOn 80′minutes
Alternative
- 5Ken
- 8drunk
- 10Danjama
- 12Virginia News
- 14Gomes Bettincle
- 21Andre Gomes
- 23Coleman
- 28Rimalho Charmeti
- 61Dubin
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 11,873
Live Text
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Match finished, Luton Town 1, Everton 1.
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Second half ends, Luton Town 1, Everton 1.
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Corner, Luton Town. Acknowledged by Jarrad Branthwaite.
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The attempt was aborted. Andros Townsend (Luton Town) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
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Albert Sambi Luonga (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Youssef Charmeti (Everton).
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Corner, Luton Town. Jack Harrison accepted.
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The attempt was aborted. Luke Barry (Lewton Town) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. With help from Taden Mengi.
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The attempt was missed. Taden Mengy (Luton Town) header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alfie Doughty with a cross after a corner.
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Corner, Luton Town. Acknowledged by Jordan Pickford.
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Attempt saved. Luke Barry (Luton Town) header from the center of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cauley Woodrow with a cross.
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Attempt saved. Taden Maingy (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Albert Sambi Luonga (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Youssef Charmeti (Everton).
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Andre Gomes (Everton) is shown the yellow card.
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Corner, Everton. Cowley Woodrow accepted.
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Foul by Gabriel Osho (Luton Town).
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Youssef Charmeti (Everton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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The attempt was aborted. Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alfie Doughty with a headed pass.
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Gabriel Osho (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Credit : www.bbc.co.uk