Luton Town have been relegated from the Premier League after losing 3-1 to West Ham United, who managed to send manager David Moyes off in style in the Scot’s final home game in charge of the Hammers.
Luton led at half-time thanks to Albert Sambi Luonga’s early header, only for the home side to respond with three goals in the second half.
James Ward-Prowse’s well-taken strike brought West Ham into the lead early in the second period, before Tomas Sucic’s thumping volley and young substitute Jorge Arthy’s first Hammers goal sealed the comeback.
As a result, Luton’s relegation from the Premier League will now be mathematically confirmed if Nottingham Forest pick up a point at relegation Burnley on the final day, with West Ham eighth in the table, all other results. can stay on Between now and the end of the season.
How West Ham gave Moyes a triumphant farewell to break Luton hearts.
Luton knew they needed a miracle to stay up, with two wins from their last two Premier League games still probably not enough to prevent them going straight back into the Championship, but Rob Edwards’ side still gave him a good place at the London Stadium. ,
The visitors started the better of the two teams, taking a deserved lead when Sambi Luonga, in space in the box, stooped to head in Alfie Doughty’s lovely curled cross from the left.
That sixth-minute opener kicked the Hammers into life, Jarrod Bowen hitting the outside of a post, but the visitors still led at the break, with dreams of an unlikely survival bid still alive.
However, it was all West Ham in the second period as the home side got on level terms just nine minutes after the break as Ward-Prowse’s low drive found the bottom corner after Bowen’s fine approach play.
The turnaround was then completed when the first Sucic put West Ham ahead when Luton failed to clear a corner, before the icing on the cake was provided by 19-year-old Arthi, who scored his first goal for the club 67 seconds into the match. After doing with your first touch. , tapping home from close range after a Mohamed Quddus drive raced down the right byline and rebounded.
Moyes was then given a rapturous welcome from the home faithful as the West Ham players and their families enjoyed a lap of honor at the end of the season, while Edwards and his Luton players were given a standing ovation by their own fans. He also appreciated from the field.
Luton are in good shape to bounce back straight.
Rob Edwards cut a dejected figure at full-time with tears streaming down the Luton Town manager’s cheeks as he and his players praised their fans after a 3-1 defeat at West Ham and sent them into the Championship. Sent back.
However, Edwards was more upbeat in his post-match press conference, rightly pointing out how his side – who no-one gave a chance to last – have been one of the Premier League’s most successful teams this season. They have been able to compete with other teams.
“It has fueled the fire to come back,” added a defiant Edwards, adding: “We will now be in a strong place to attack the Championship and be one of the strongest teams in the Championship.”
Edwards is right as his team have already shown they can compete at this level – “some of our players look like Premier League players,” he rightly observed – And with parachute payments increasing their way, it would be surprising. The Hatters don’t make an immediate top-flight return 12 months from now.
What the organizers said…
“I was definitely emotional because I’ve been here for four-and-a-half years. I was a bit overwhelmed because I knew what was going on with the other manager.
“But it was nice to see. Sometimes all you hear is negative, but it seemed like the best part of the 50,000 supporters were behind in the praise, which was good. I’m really happy with that.
“It is not easy for any manager to join any football club and do something with them.
“Hopefully I’ll walk away with people saying something happened here. The expectations have been raised like you can’t believe.
“From a team that avoided relegation, it’s now a club we want to go to in Europe every year. It’s a big turnaround in a few years.”
“It was really hard, hugging Locks at the end and seeing how the supporters reacted, it made me emotional.
“It’s a tough day. What I said to my players and staff in the dressing room afterwards was ‘thank you’. They, along with our fans and the board, have given me the best 18 months of my life.
“I wanted to thank them today. We didn’t get kicked out because of today. I’m really disappointed that I’m the one responsible, I feel like, that we couldn’t do it.
“We’ve thrown everything at him but come up short. It’s been tough for us and a little bit too much for us at the end. But I’ve loved it and it’s great to get back into it. Fuels the fire.”
Moyes’ farewell hammers back at winning ways – Opta stats
- West Ham picked up just their second Premier League win in their last 10 games (D4 L4), while David Moyes has now won 11 of his last 14 final home games of the league campaign (D2 L1).
- Luton have lost five Premier League games this season despite leading at half-time, the most by any team in a single campaign.
- Apart from their debut Premier League campaign in 1992–93, Luton Town (50) are one of four teams to score 50+ goals in their first season in the competition since Newcastle in 1993–94 (82). Reading (52) in 2006–07) and Blackpool in 2010–11 (55). However, only Swindon in 1993-94 (100), Barnsley in 1997-98 (82) and Burnley in 2009-10 (82) conceded more in their first season than the Hatters (81).
- Only Jarrod Bowen (16) has scored more Premier League goals for West Ham United than James Ward-Prowse (7) this season, while Phil Foden (46) is the only English midfielder to score since the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Who has scored more goals? More goals than West Ham United (34) in the competition.
what’s next?
The final day of the Premier League will take place on Sunday 19 May with all games kicking off at 4pm. West Ham Face Man CityWhile Luton Take it Fulham.
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