West Ham hold on for win, spoil Luton Town’s homecoming

With a 2-1 victory away to Luton Town on Friday, West Ham made it three straight wins and four without defeat to start the new Premier League season, as top-flight football made its long-awaited return to Kenilworth Road.

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It had been more than 30 years since top-flight football had been played at “the Kenny,” after the club was relegated the season before the Premier League began in 1992. Luton’s first home game, originally scheduled for matchweek 2, was postponed as renovations were completed to bring the 118-year-old ground up to PL standards.

Luton rode the wave of early excitement to a few threatening moments in the opening half-hour, but their half-scoring chances ultimately amounted to little. Midway through the first half, West Ham found their footing and turned up the pressure.

Jarrod Bowen’s breakthrough came in the 37th minute, as Lucas Paqueta hoisted a sensational cross to the back post where Bowen timed his run perfectly and headed the ball on target from four yards out. Thomas Kaminski got a hand (or two) on it, but all he could do was palm it into the inside netting.

Though they had a possession advantage of nearly 2-to-1, West Ham took their time putting the game bed. Elijah Adebayo had two chances from inside the six-yard box in the 57th minute, and Carlton Morris missed one from seven yards out in the 83rd minute. If the Hatters didn’t feel hard done by then, they certainly did two minutes later when West Ham (finally) doubled their advantage.

James Ward-Prowse delivered a typically brilliant corner kick to the near post and Kurt Zouma was the highest riser to head the ball down and into the back of the net for 2-0. Zouma’s goal turned out to be vitally important, as Luton hit back in the 91st minute. Morris headed the ball across the penalty area and Mads Andersen helped it on with another header just inside the far post.

Even more important was the referee’s (and video assistant referee’s) decision to not give Luton a penalty kick almost immediately following the restart. Cauley Woodrow sent a corner kick into the penalty area and the ball clearly made contact with Ward-Prowse’s arm, which appeared to be raise quite high and away from his body. Referee Paul Tierney let play continue and VAR John Brooks recommended no further review upon his own assessment.

Luton Town vs West Ham, live score: 1-2

Goalscorers: Jarrod Bowen (37'), Kurt Zouma (85'), Mads Andersen (90' +1)

How to watch Luton Town vs West Ham live, stream link, time

Kickoff: 3 pm ET, Friday (Sept. 1)
TV: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBCSports.com