Luton manager Rob Edwards vowed his side would “keep on going” after their 1-1 draw with Everton at Kenilworth Road as they missed out on a chance to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
With 17th-placed Nottingham Forest not in action until Saturday, Luton had the chance to put real pressure on their rivals in the race to beat the drop, but after Elia Adebayo equalized from Dominic Calvert-Lyon’s penalty in the first half, they Failed to summon one. Winner despite a frantic finale.
Edwards’ side could drop to 19th and three points behind at the weekend if Forest should overcome bottom side Sheffield United and Burnley at Newcastle, but he insisted his players will fight until the end. .
“We wanted to win,” he said. “We threw everything at it, we tried. You can’t guarantee the result but you can guarantee how hard you work.
“We stood up very well to Everton’s physicality, their running power. We could have had a different conversation now if the ball had moved a couple of inches, some big blocks they made. The draw wasn’t what we wanted. wanted.
“We don’t know as we stand. We’re still in the mix. Other things are out of our control, obviously. But we’ll continue.”
Adebayo’s point-scoring goal was brilliantly taken. Albert Sambi-Lukunga’s high, raking pass reached deep into the box for a header on goal, but with quick thinking Luton’s top scorer – making his first start in three months after injury – took the ball onto his chest. , he sent his team. Marker Ashley Young fell to the ground and slid wide of Jordan Pickford from eight yards.
“A good performance considering he’s been out for so long,” said Edwards of his goalscorer. “It’s a fantastic goal. It’s tough for any team in this league when you’re missing key players. He showed us what we had lost there.
A draw was at least what Luton deserved but they were in a precarious position when Everton took the lead after 24 minutes. As a corner floated into the box, Taden Mengy grabbed Gerard Branthwaite and took him off his feet to the floor.
It was a poor mistake by Mengi, who was nowhere near the ball where the offense happened. From a penalty awarded after a pitchside VAR check, Calvert Lyon sent Thomas Kaminski the wrong way to make it 1-0.
“I don’t think we’ve gotten a lot of complaints,” said Edwards of the award. “Taden is going to have a great career. It’s a learning curve for him.”
Edwards’ side bombarded Everton after realizing two points were slipping away, with Andros Townsend driving low on goal in stoppage time, denied by a Branthwaite block.
The best chance fell with practically the last kick to substitute Luke Barry, who broke his body to deliver a daring overhead kick that ricocheted to safety, and victory with it. Luton’s last chance to make a claim had arrived.
Everton boss Sean Dye reflected on a game he was disappointed his side didn’t win.
“We lost our way a little bit in the second half,” he said.
“It could be. Overall I’ve asked a lot of these players. I’m not going to question it too much, but I’m always greedy. We want more.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
