Luton held by Everton to remain in relegation zone

Luton’s hopes of survival are dwindling by the game. A hard-fought 1-1 draw with Everton at Kenilworth Road was not enough to move them out of the relegation zone, and now they have played a game more than the teams around them.

Everton clinched survival last weekend, which many felt increased Luton’s chances of victory, though there was never much danger of a Sean Dyche team phoning it in. They defended resolutely, heading away cross after cross, and ensured Jordan Pickford had a relatively quiet night.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees ahead in the first half, clipping a penalty straight down the middle after Teden Mengi was penalised for trying to bear hug Jarrad Branthwaite at a corner.

Elijah Adebayo, starting for the first time since February, equalised with a terrific goal in the 31st minute.

Luton dominated the second half but only really threatened a winner during a pulsating injury-time onslaught. Luton had eight shots in as many minutes, culminating in a low drive from Andros Townsend that was diverted round the post by Branthwaite. If there were any doubts about Everton’s motivation, Branthwaite’s celebration of that goal-saving touch dispelled them.

The draw continues a desperate run of form for Luton. They have won only one of their last 15 league games, picking up seven points in that time. It has left them needing favours from elsewhere – starting tomorrow when Nottingham Forest go to Sheffield United and Burnley host Newcastle.

This felt like a must-win game for Luton – not mathematically, but to arrest their poor form and put maximum pressure on their relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and Burnley. Instead Forest will go to relegated Sheffield United on Saturday knowing victory would put them three points clear of Luton, and with a superior goal difference. Luton’s only realistic chance of survival is to win their last two games against West Ham and Fulham. Even that might not be enough.

Chong’s driving runs through the centre of the field were a problem for Everton throughout the game. James Garner and Idrissa Gueye were both booked for tripping Chong, whose surges energised Luton every time the game threatened to get away from them. At times his final pass was overeager, but that was the only blemish on an excellent performance.

Luton: Kaminski 7, Burke 7, Mengi 6, Osho 6, Onyedinma 6, Sambi Lokonga 7, Barkley 7, Doughty 7, Chong 8, Morris 6, Adebayo 8. Subs: Berry 7, Woodrow 7, Townsend 6.

Everton: Pickford 6, Godfrey 7, Tarkowski 8, Branthwaite 8, Young 7, Harrison 6, Gueye 7, Garner 6, McNeil 7, Doucoure 6, Calvert-Lewin 8. Subs: Onana 7, Beto 7, Andre Gomes 6, Coleman 6, Chermiti 6.

23’ – PENALTY TO EVERTON! Mengi holds on to Branthwaite at a corner, a bizarre piece of defending, and this may well be a penalty. The referee is going to the monitor. He has a few looks, just to be sure, and then signals that it’s a penalty. There are loud boos, but that was clear as day.

24’ – GOAL! LUTON 0-1 EVERTON (CALVERT-LEWIN PEN) Dominic Calvert-Lewin cracks the penalty straight down the middle. It wasn’t the best – Kaminski got a leg to it – but it did the job.

31’ – GOAL! LUTON 1-1 EVERTON (ADEBAYO) A superb equaliser from Elijah Adebayo! Lokonga, 40 yards out, curled a diagonal ball towards Adebayo, who had pulled beyond the far post and onto Young. Adebayo chested the ball down, muscled Young aside and rattled a shot back across Pickford with his left foot. That’s a terrific finish.

45+6’ – OFF THE LINE BY GODFREY! Luton almost take the lead on the stroke of half-time. Doughty drives a superb cross beyond the far post, where Luton have a man over. Morris heads it back across goal and Godfrey, well positioned, heads the ball off the line. I’m not 100 per cent sure Morris’s header was going in, though Godrey wasn’t taking any chances.

77’ –FINE SAVE BY KAMINSKI! Harrison’s deep cross is kept in play really well by McNeil, who strains his neck muscles to head the ball back across goal. Calvert-Lewin meets it with a majestic towering header that is tipped over acrobatically by Kaminski.

90+8’ –GREAT DEFENDING! The free-kick is headed clear to the ege of the area, where Townsend runs onto the ball and hits a crisp low drive. Branthwaite sticks a foot to divert it round the post and then celebrates like he’s scored the winning goal! It might not have been going in, because Coleman was on the line, but it was a great piece of instinctive defending from Branthwaite.