Carlton Morris Nets Last-gasp Winner Against Bournemoth as Luton Reignite Premier League Survival Hopes

Carlton Morris scored a 90th-minute winning goal as Luton recorded a vital 2-1 victory at home to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. 

Marcus Tavernier fired a rocket into the bottom corner to hand the Cherries the lead seven minutes into the second half, but Jordan Clark whipped in a fine equaliser on 73 minutes – his first top flight goal. 

Clark’s equaliser set up a grandstand finish and Luton earned a much-needed win – their first in 11 Premier League matches – when Morris wriggled free of his marker to tap in from substitute Cauley Woodrow’s cross.

Bournemouth dominated the early stages at Kenilworth Road and could have taken the lead after ten minutes when Tavernier curled a free-kick against the frame of Thomas Kaminski’s goal, with the Belgian stopper ending up in the side-netting as he scrambled across the line. 

That same post was struck once again when Justin Kluivert shot through Teden Mengi’s legs from the edge of the box, and his low effort flicked the woodwork before rolling behind. 

Luton were living dangerously and had another close escape midway through the first half when Tavernier’s corner was prodded towards goal by Dominik Solanke at the back post, however Kaminski showed sharp reflexes to paw away with his outstretched left hand. 

The Hatters weathered the storm and were perhaps fortunate to go into the break level. The hosts finally produced their first noteworthy chance of the game after the interval when Ross Barkley beat Ryan Christie to the ball and fed Morris who drilled across goal towards the bottom left corner. Dropping down to right, Bournemouth captain and keeper Neto showed his class by firmly parrying the ball wide. 

Before the second half had developed any rhythm, Kluivert dribbled down the right and rolled infield to Tavenrnier who smashed first-time into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box, celebrating with a golf swing towards the Kenilworth Road End. Shortly thereafter, the scorer was withdrawn due to injury and decided to taunt the crowd with a ‘one nil’ hand gesture.

The woodwork at the Oak Road End was rattled for a third time when Morris cut in from the left and curled against the base of the post, with Clark seeing his follow-up effort blocked by Adam Smith. 

Despite being decimated by injury in recent weeks, Rob Edwards’ team kept fighting and levelled the match when Clark was tackled on the edge of the box and Luke Berry – who had come on as a second-half substitute – tackled Lloyd Kelly and the loose ball fell to Clark who whipped emphatically into the bottom right corner. 

The game had undoubtedly changed after Cherries manager Andoni Iraola substituted the dangerous Antoine Semenyo. Suddenly Luton and their supporters were full of belief, and the ground swelled as Morris retrieved the ball from the net and raced back to the centre circle. 

Cauley Woodrow earned Town a crucial point with his late header at Crystal Palace last month, and the forward came off the bench once again to make an invaluable contribution, crossing from the left flank with his right foot. Morris shook off Illia Zabarnyi and side-footed into the bottom corner, sending the 11,779 crowd into raptures. 

The Hatters negotiated the final few minutes with guile and determination, learning from their recent mistakes and avenging the catastrophic 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth a few weeks ago. As the full-time whistle blew, those inside Kenilworth Road were filled with joy and optimism that the Hatters can survive in their maiden season in the Premier League.