Luton All-but Relegated from Premier League as David Moyes Triumphs in Final Home Game as West Ham Manager

Luton Town relinquished an early lead to fall to a 3-1 defeat at West Ham in David Moyes’ last game as Irons boss – a result which effectively condemned the Hatters to Premier League relegation. 

Albert Sambi Lokonga gave Luton a dream start at the London Stadium when he headed in unmarked from Alfie Doughty’s cross, and Town held on to their lead until half time. 

But the Hammers regrouped in the second half and put Luton to the sword, with James Ward-Prowse sweeping into the bottom corner, Tomas Soucek volleying in, and 19-year-old George Earthy scoring his first senior goal.

Elijah Adebayo made a goalscoring return to the Luton lineup in the 1-1 draw at home to Everton, and the striker caused West Ham problems in the early stages with his direct running. 

In the sixth minute, Adebayo saw his shot blocked by Vladimir Coufal and Doughty retrieved the ball on the left flank. The full-back took one touch before expertly curling a cross onto the head of Lokonga, who drifted to the edge of the six-yard box and planted a header past Alphonse Areola and into the bottom left corner. 

The Hammers appeared low on confidence following the 5-0 defeat by Chelsea, but began to control possession shortly after Town took the lead. Jarrod Bowen first struck the outside of the post when he connected with Lucas Paqueta’s left-wing cross, then saw his low effort booted clear by the sliding Teden Mengi. 

Luton’s defence cracked under the pressure nine minutes into the second half when Bowen dribbled down the right wing and fired a low cross into the danger zone. Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski stuck out a foot which diverted the ball back into the danger zone where Ward-Prowse was waiting. The Hammers number seven fired clinically into the bottom left corner, evading the litany of Luton players who threw their bodies at the ball in desperation. 

With heads bowed and shoulders slumped, Luton’s players toiled through the rest of the match, visibly beginning to accept their fate. Kaminski made a fine save to keep the match level when the exciting Mohammed Kudus crossed from the left and Michail Antonio headed back across goal. The Belgian shuffled across his goal before changing direction and acrobatically pawing the ball away with his right hand. Bowen could only drag his follow-up attempt into the side-netting.

West Ham’s second goal arrived on 65 minutes when Town failed to clear their lines from a corner and Ward-Prowse delivered into the box from the right wing. Lokonga headed to the edge of the box where Soucek slammed a powerful left-footed volley into the bottom right corner, giving Kaminski no chance.

Earthy made his Premier League debut in the 2-0 defeat at Fulham back in April, and the midfielder was handed his second appearance in the final 15 minutes against Luton. The teenager celebrated winning the Mark Noble Young Hammer of the Year Award by scoring his maiden goal just seconds after coming on, tapping in at the near post from three yards once Kudus had dribbled to the byline. 

After a slow start, West Ham’s players had given Moyes a fitting London Stadium send-off. The Scotsman won the Europa Conference League with the Hammers in 2022/23 but will be replaced with Julen Lopetegui after a turbulent 2023/24 campaign. 

Meanwhile Luton had nothing left to give after Earthy’s goal. And once the full-time whistle blew, the Hatters staff and players – including ailing captain Tom Lockyer – congregated in front of their 3,000 fans in the away end. 

For approximately 10 minutes, players, staff and fans applauded each other as the Premier League survival dream faded. Town manager Rob Edwards shed a tear as supporters sang his name and unfurled a banner which read “we’re proud of you”. 

Once the players eventually turned and walked towards the tunnel after throwing their shirts into the crowd, they were applauded by the home supporters too. Edwards praised the fans in his post-match press conference. “It’s unique. I don’t think you see it in football very often. We’re in a world where it’s all about results, but I think what our supporters have shown is an unbelievable understanding, intelligence, compassion, and just total support, which in this day and age is pretty unique. 

“There is a connection there between the players, staff and board. It doesn’t happen very often. We’ve grown and improved so much. Where we’ve come from and where we are now. This club’s only going in one direction.”

Luton require a win over Fulham, a Burnley victory over Nottingham Forest, and a 12-goal swing to survive on the final day. Agonisingly, Town have consistently fallen short in a season that promised to be one of the greatest in Hatters history, but everyone associated with the club can be proud of its rise and valiant attempts to stay seated at the top table.