Luton Town drew 1-1 versus Everton at Kenilworth Road on Friday, earning a point they hope will be invaluable at the end of the season as the Hatters fight for their Premier League lives.
Elijah Adebayo slammed home an equalizer in the first half after Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty for the Toffees as neither team could find a winner in a tight second half.
WATCH LUTON TOWN vs EVERTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
Rob Edwards’ Hatters had already beaten Everton twice this season at Goodison Park, both in the league and FA Cup, and their draw Friday is not enough to pull them out of the bottom three. Luton have the same amount of points as 17th-place Nottingham Forest, who play 20th-place Sheffield United this weekend, and are nine goals worse than the Tricky Trees in differential.
Luton could also be passed by Burnley, who have 24 points.
Everton had secured their safety as Sean Dyche’s side enjoyed an incredible week with three home wins on the spin against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford. The Toffees can finish no higher than 13th and no lower than 17th on the table.
Another almost in Luton’s season of nearly
An overhead kick that slams into keeper Jordan Pickford. A shot through traffic just deflected out by Jarrad Branthwaite. Oh, Luton, you were so close to a winner on Friday — even getting the rub of the green on two possible penalties — and that’s been the story so often this season. Granted most of their “almosts” came much earlier in the season, like the 4-4 draw with Newcastle that could’ve been a win, the 3-2 loss at Chelsea that featured a 2.64-1.57 goal differential advantage for the Hatters, and a similar September loss to West Ham (There were points won that shouldn’t have been, too, but we digress).
That said, three points were necessary at home against a team that has very little but vacation left in its plans. Luton will regret this match as much as any this season (including the stunning loss to Sheffield United). You have to beat the lower-half sides to stay up. Now Rob Edwards’ men need to defeat tougher foes in West Ham and/or Fulham.
Luton vs Everton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Luton vs Everton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Luton vs Everton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Luton go to West Ham on Saturday, May 10 before finishing at home to Fulham on Championship Sunday (May 19).
Everton host Sheffield United on Saturday, May 10, and then travel to Arsenal to finish the season.
How to watch Luton vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET Friday (May 3)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Luton vs Everton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Luton vs Everton live score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Calvert-Lewin (pen 24'), Adebayo (31')
Huge save by Kaminski
Dwight McNeil heads back across goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin snaps his head into a point-blank shot.
Thomas Kaminski reacts quickly to slap it over the bar in what could be a standout moment of Luton’s bid to stay in the Premier League.
Tighter game but Luton looking for winner
The game is mostly between the 18s, but Luton boss Rob Edwards is aiming for a winner.
He’s brought on Cauley Woodrow for back Fred Onyedinma.
Still at least a quarter-hour to go.
Hatters on front foot
Second half starts a bit like the first, as Kenilworth Road inspires its Hatters forward.
A pair of relatively tame shots have not found the frame.
Halftime — Luton 1-1 Everton
Well, hello entertaining game.
Everton is fighting for this even as Luton need the three points so much more.
Luton out-attempted Everton 4-3 as the Toffees kept nearly 60 percent of the ball.
Albert Sambi Lokonga set up the goal and has been bright and adventurous for the Hatters.
Jarrad Branthwaite remains perhaps the most impressive part of Everton’s season, and the center back has 38 touches and is passing at 94%.
Adebayo bodies Young, levels the game — Luton 1-1 Everton (31st minute)
A long searching ball toward the other side of the field sees Elijah Adebayo matched up with Ashley Young.
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Young falls aside as Adebayo chests the ball onto his left side for a fine finish past Jordan Pickford.
1-1!
VAR review... penalty! Luton 0-1 Everton (24th minute)
Jarrad Branthwaite is wrapped up in the box and takes the chance to hit the deck, and Teden Mengi has conceded a penalty to Everton.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin steps to the spot and smashes home. 1-0 to the Toffees.
No surprise to see Hatters firing forward
The team that’s still in relegation danger — and at home — showing more impetus is no surprise.
Still waiting for genuine danger, but a bright start from Luton.
Luton lineup
Kaminski, Onyedinma, Burke, Mengi, Osho, Doughty, Lokonga, Barkley, Chong, Morris, Adebayo.
Everton lineup
Pickford, Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young, Gana, Garner, Doucoure, Harrison, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin.
Luton focus, team news
The Hatters have forward Adebayo back fit and that is a big boost. He and Carlton Morris should start up top and when they were in form together during the middle stage of the season, that is when Luton had their best run. Due to all of the injuries, Luton have been struggling defensively in recent weeks but if they can cut out some of the mistakes and stay solid then you always fancy the likes of Morris and Ross Barkley to pop up with a moment of quality to score goals at the other end. Luton have to feed off the energy of the home crowd, keep things tight and then go for it in the second half.
OUT: Chiedozie Ogbene (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Tom Lockyer (heart), Dan Potts (thigh), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf), Amari’i Bell (thigh), Issa Kabore (ankle)
Everton focus, team news
Now that Everton are officially safe from relegation, will the flip flops be on? Probably not. Sean Dyche is demanding more and with four wins from five Everton are targeting a really strong finish to the season to finish as high as possible. Up top they will hope Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit to return as youngster Youssef Chermiti ran himself into the ground up top against Brentford on Saturday.
OUT: Beto (concussion), Dele Alli (groin), Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Nathan Patterson (hamstring), Seamus Coleman (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (illness), Vitalii Mykolenko (ankle)
