MATCH REPORT: Man City come from behind against brave Luton to end winless run

They say the table never lies, but Luton supporters may argue it doesn’t tell the full story. Over the past month, the Hatters have found themselves ahead against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, but have only come away from those games with a point.

A powerful Elijah Adebayo header on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts a lead their endeavour deserved and it seemed, for at least an hour, that City’s four-game winless run would be extended, but quickfire goals from Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish took the game away from Luton before they could catch their breath. That happens in the Premier League, especially when you’re facing the top sides - Luton are learning this the hard way. 

Their goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski won the Premier League’s Save of the Month award for November and showed his worth early as he got down well to deny Phil Foden’s flashed effort across goal, having been slipped in by Bernardo Silva. The Belgian keeper was called into action twice more in the half, pulling off strong saves to keep out Rodri’s fiercely-struck effort from distance and a further Foden attempt. Erling Haaland’s talents in front of goal were certainly missed in absentia. 

By now, most will know what to expect from trips to ‘The Kenny’ and the Hatters contrived to deny the European champions any time on the ball, stymying the man in possession as they have done all season. The sheer determination to block shots and pick City passes off was admirable; long-range sighters from the usually assured Matteo Kovacic and Kyle Walker sailing well over the bar would have been all the validation Rob Edwards needed to confirm that the game plan was working. 

Yet, to say Rob Edwards’ side only brought brawn to the table would be facetious. The Hatters pressed intelligently as a unit and fashioned several aesthetically-pleasing one-touch moves forward. Andros Townsend’s missile from distance moved in the air, but not enough to trouble Ederson but the Brazilian had less luck in the second minute of stoppage time when the deadlock was finally broken. 

Elijah Adebayo, preferred to last season’s top scorer Carlton Morris, led the line with authority against Arsenal and added a fourth goal to his Premier League tally with a towering header at the back post. Ross Barkley did brilliantly just inside his own half to hold Rodri off and send Alfie Doughty on his way down the right who helped the ball on to Townsend. The winger jinked onto his left and delivered a teasing ball over Ederson where Adebayo leapt highest, powering the ball home and leaving a helpless Ruben Dias sprawled on the ground. 

As the sides headed down the tunnel for their respective 15-minute debriefs, an irate Pep Guardiola locked horns with the fourth official, appearing to contest a foul throw being called against Silva in the build-up to the goal. His terse attitude must surely have continued into his half-time team talk as City emerged from half-time with far more intensity, watching Dias rattle the crossbar after Nathan Ake did well to pick him out from the byline.  

But City’s persistence paid off just past the hour mark and two goals in three minutes undid all of Luton’s good work. Silva pounced on a loose ball after Tom Lockyer had stopped a determined Rodri drive, his curled effort starting just outside Kaminski’s far post before nestling into the side netting. Jack Grealish tapped in the second after Teden Mengi failed to deal with Julian Alvarez’s cross from the right following a flowing move from the visitors.    

City’s experience came to the fore as they grasped control of the game. Although Luton’s powers waned, they never gave up the ghost and imposed some late pressure through a flurry of balls into the box. Guardiola quelled the aerial threat by introducing height in the form of Manuel Akanji and John Stones, and Luton failed to create any clear-cut chances before the referee blew the final whistle. 

The result saw the visitors stay within touching distance of the title contenders while Luton remain in the relegation zone, four points adrift from safety with Everton beating Chelsea 2-0 in one of the two other concurrent early Sunday afternoon matches. 

Line ups:

Luton Town (3-4-3): Kaminski, Mengi, Lockyer, Bell, Doughty, Nakamba, Barkley, Giles, Townsend, Adebayo, Brown

Substitutes: Morris (72'), Chong (84'), Clark (90'), Sambi Lokonga (72'), Andersen, Berry, Ruddock Mpanzu, Krul, Johnson

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez

Substitutes: Stones (69'), Akanji (90+3'), Nunes (83), Phillips, Ortega, Gomez, Carson, Bobb, Lewis

Goals: Adebayo 45+2’, Silva 62’, Grealish 65’