New faces help Brighton overrun new boys Luton Town

Now here’s Luton boss Rob Edwards, via the BBC:

“I thought we competed well. We were in the game at 2-1. The third goal killed us off and we had a lot of opportunities to clear the ball. We didn’t take them and that shows the ruthless nature of the league. In the first half I thought we were solid, compact and aggressive where we needed to be and we retained a counter-attacking threat. ... We found a way, made some aggressive changes and then disappointed to concede the third. Then they smelled blood and we are trying to find a balance of getting back in the game and still defending. Teams at this lethal will be ruthless. They deserved to win. But I’m proud of the players, we can take some positives and we will get better.”

Here’s Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, from the BBC:

“We are not at our best yet because there are new players and we need to give them time to understand out ideas. But I am happy. ... You have to have a passion to move the ball faster than we did. We had chances to score a lot of goals in the first half but these games you have to play more with the head and clear ideas. It is difficult when you have to attack one team so close with 11 players behind the line of the ball. For all teams it is difficult.”

“I thought [Joao Pedro] played well. He could have scored more goals and he has to want to score more goals. We have a lot of good players in attack and everyone has to play pushing always.”

Evan Ferguson slides to the back post to finish, and if he doesn’t it would’ve been Simon Adingra again.

That’s fitting, because Brighton has overrun Luton Town and its 4-1 win (assuming no more goals arrive) is 100% deserved.

Things get messy at the back for Luton, with missed clearances a-plenty.

The last of which is substitute Chiedozie Ogbene, whose chest trap leads to a very odd juggle-touch-pass (?) and there’s fellow sub Simon Adingra.

He doesn’t miss, and it’s 3-1 Brighton late.

Jacob Brown’s hopeful cross from the right strikes a sliding Lewis Dunk on the back of his elbow, and that’s drawn a point to the spot from David Coote.

VAR confirms Dunk’s hard luck and Carlton Morris goes to the spot where he wrongfoots Jason Steele and rolls it into the gaping left side of the goal.

2-1. Can Luton smash and grab a point on its Premier League return?

Kaoru Mitoma starts a play that leads to the spot with a terrific two-touch cut to cook substitute Alfie Doughty.

He feeds Joao Pedro, who cuts in the 18 and past Tom Lockyer. The Luton vet gets his arm across Pedro and that’s it for the Brighton man’s feet.

Pedro gets his first Premier League goal on the ensuing penalty.

2-0, Brighton. Surely that’s it.

Solly March is very close to a brace, but Kaminski saves well.

The rebound comes out to the top of the 18.

Danny Welbeck hits the deck in what looks to be a penalty shout, but replays show that it’s his teammate who fells the longtime Premier League striker.

Still 1-0, Brighton. Can Luton find an equalizer in the final 26 minutes?

How is this only 1-0?

Roberto De Zerbi’s men have every perceivable statistical edge, out-attempting Luton 15-6 while holding 71 percent of the ball and a 1.33-0.41 xG advantage.

Brighton and Luton have both missed big chances, and Joao Pedro’s having cold feet on his Premier League debut (as is Danny Welbeck, most certainly not on debut).

Rectified after halftime?

Luton giving Brighton some freedom in and around the 18... and it crushes them.

Kaoru Mitoma gets a square pass at the left corner of the 18 and has time to weigh his options.

His best one is an incisive run from one of the game’s best crossers, and Solly March rises high to nod past Kaminski.

1-0, Brighton.

The Seagulls should really be ahead as they are letting Luton Town grow into the Premier League existence.

That’s not to say the Hatters look ready to dart in front, but Brighton’s added to Joao Pedro’s aforementioned miss with a pair of Danny Welbeck chances that go for nothing.

The most recent was a low drive that barely qualifies for ‘drive’ status, and Thomas Kaminski has his first Premier League save with very little worry.

It should be 1-0 to Brighton.

Joao Pedro is denied by a sliding Tom Lockyer but gets another chance when Pascal Gross races onto the loose ball and cuts back to the Brazilian.

Pedro gets way too cute there, eschewing a side-footed finish from a dangerous place to instead flick it wide of the goal.

Roberto De Zerbi will roll his eyes.

There are new boys in the XI, as James Milner starts with Mahmoud Dahoud and Joao Pedro.

Roberto De Zerbi looks to Jan Paul van Hecke next to Lewis Dunk. The 23-year-old has had loans to Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers the past two seasons and impressed apart from a red card at Premier League Summer Series.

No Ross Barkley for the Hatters but Marvelous Nakamba is in the center of the park as they make their Premier League return.

Luton Town injuries

OUT: Reece Burke (undisclosed), Jordan Clark (undisclosed), Gabriel Osho (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Dan Potts (undisclosed), Mads Andersen (illness)

Brighton & Hove Albion injuries

OUT: Jakub Moder (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Moises Caicedo (hamstring)