Luton Town earn historic promotion to the Premier League

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 28/05/2023

Luton Town have gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

This remarkable feat follows the club’s penalty shootout victory over Coventry City in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

The Hatters had played a 1-1 draw against their opponents after 120 minutes before the shootout at Wembley.

Luton Town will play in the Premier League for the first time in the history of the club. They have moved from playing non-league football to playing in the Premier League within ten years (Image: @ESPNFC).

In a scary moment, Luton Town lost captain Tom Lockyer who collapsed just 10 minutes into the encounter. The Welsh defender tumbled to the ground with no other player within five yards while back-pedalling in defence.

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When the 28-year-old tried to help himself up off the ground, he instantly slumped back down motionless. He was given oxygen but remained conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch.

Good news on Lockyer

Luton Town confirmed that Lockyer was responding to treatment and talking in the hospital midway through the second half.

Luton Town midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is the first player to go from non-league to the Premier League with the same club (Image: Fabrizio Romano)

Meanwhile, In the 23rd minute, a great Elijah Adebayo run excited the fans before Jordan Clark wrong-footed a Coventry player. Clark found his way into the box and then released his shot past Coventry City keeper Ben Wilson.

Following the first period, Luton lost momentum even though their counter attack strategy persisted. The Hatters continued to counter but their lack of precision in the attacking third gave them no further goals.

Of course, Conventry capitalised six minutes after the hour mark when Viktor Gyokeres raced down the left wing before a brilliant pass back across goal found Gustavo Hamer. The Dutch player wasted no time in sliding his shot into the bottom corner.

Tight contest decided on penalties

After ninety minutes, eight minutes of stoppage time was added but nothing could separate the teams. The game went into extra-time, becoming the first Championship play-off final to do so since Huddersfield’s 2017 win over Reading.

Luton Town FC players Elijah Adebayo and Fred Onyedinma with the Nigerian flag as they celebrate their club’s promotion to the English Premier League (Image: @PoojaMedia)

With only three minutes of the extra time to go, substitute Joseph Taylor thought he’d won it for Luton Town. However, his goal was ruled out for a handball in the build-up. This meant the game had to be decided on penalties.

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The first 11 penalties were all converted before Fankaty Dabo lost his kick. He blazed his attempt way over the bar as Luton Town celebrated earning a first Premier League promotion since the club was formed.