Luton Town’s relegation to the Championship was mathematically confirmed on the final day of the Premier League season as Fulham coasted to a 4-2 victory at Kenilworth Road.
Adama Traore opened the scoring on 43 minutes with just his second goal of the season. Then Chiedozie Ogbene was fouled in the box and Carlton Morris equalised from the penalty spot in stoppage time, only for Town to sloppily concede a second goal – scored by Raul Jimenez – two minutes later.
Jimenez headed in his second goal and Fulham’s third only four minutes after the restart, before Alfie Doughty’s low free-kick trickled in to reduce the deficit on 55 minutes. But Harry Wilson sealed Fulham’s fourth and final away win of the Premier League season on 69 minutes, condemning Luton to an immediate return to the second tier.
Fulham dominated the ball in the early stages, however Luton came closest to scoring when Morris controlled Daiki Hashioka’s cross and attempted to chip over the onrushing Bernd Leno, but the German stopper made himself big and pawed the ball away with his right hand.
Elijah Adebayo was the next Luton player to find himself through on goal when he controlled Jordan Clark’s clever pass, however the Town forward squandered the chance by shooting straight towards Leno who blocked with his legs.
Town responded immediately when Kaminski made amends with a long ball over the top of the Fulham defence to the pacey Ogbene. The winger saw his shot blocked by the floored Antonee Robinson, and as the ball rebounded to the Republic of Ireland international, Calvin Bassey took him down and conceded a penalty.
Hatters captain Morris rolled into the bottom right corner and led Leno the wrong way from the penalty spot, but Luton immediately exhibited the defensive frailty that has blighted their season to concede a second Fulham goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Harrison Reed passed in behind the Luton back line to Wilson on the right flank. He raced beyond Town teenager Joe Johnson – who had come on for the injured Teden Mengi – and served the ball on a platter to Jimenez who stroked into the bottom left corner from just inside the box.
Jimenez doubled his tally four minutes into the second half when he met Reed’s free kick with a glancing header which bounced into the net via the inside of the left post. No Luton player took responsibility for marking the Mexican as he wandered into the box, an all too common occurrence during the second half of Town’s season.
Doughty made the scoreline three-two when his wide free-kick skidded past Robinson and then Leno to give the home crowd something to cheer. But Fulham possessed too much attacking firepower to be pegged back.
Wilson went within inches of scoring a tremendous goal when he whipped a free-kick against the crossbar. Then the Welshman scored a goal worthy of his excellent performance. Luton lost the ball in midfield and the consequent counter attack resulted in Traore laying off to Wilson who majestically stroked into the top left corner with the inside of his left foot.
Having accepted defeat and relegation, Luton manager Rob Edwards withdrew Kaminski and replaced him with reserve goalkeeper James Shea, who was greeted with chants of “Luton’s number one.” Shea has now represented Luton in all four professional divisions, and marked his Premier League debut with a save, tipping over Tom Cairney’s goalbound effort.
After the full-time whistle, Luton’s players were serenaded one at a time by the home crowd who thanked them for their efforts during the club’s first season in the Premier League. In a campaign that promised plenty but was blighted by injuries and recurring mistakes, the Hatters fought valiantly but consistently fell short. The club will now return to the Championship, but will undoubtedly be stronger for the experience.
