Match report: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Jacob Steinberg’s match report has landed so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company – bye!
There’s loads more football to come, including four 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League. Tom Bassam has all the team news.
Look at his face! Just look at his face!
Thiago Silva doesn't look best pleased after Chelsea almost blew a 3-0 lead against Luton 😬 pic.twitter.com/GdU3R4t5AH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
The Chelsea goalscorers speak to TNT Sports
Noni Madueke
We had to stay together in the last moments, we know it’s a hard place to come. We made it hard for ourselves but I’m glad we got the three points.
[On his goal] They double-teamed me most of the time, so I just thought I’d shift it to my right and hit it as hard as I can. Luckily it went in the top corner.
[Palmer’s second goal was an ice-cold finish, wasn’t it?] That’s why they call him Cold Palmer!
Cole Palmer
[On he second goal] When I took it round the keeper I thought the other guy would come across fast, so if I waited a second I’d have time to put it in.
Hopefully this is just the start. I’m adapting to a new life – my teammates, the city, everything’s new to me – and hopefully I can show more on the pitch.
"That's why they call him 'Cold Palmer' innit?" 😅
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Noni Madueke is all of us after watching back Cole Palmer's brilliant goal 🥶 pic.twitter.com/7wQ1g52XbV
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Full time: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea hold on to claim their third win in four Premier League games! They seemed to be cruising when the outstanding Cole Palmer made it 3-0 in the 70th minute, but instead that sparked a ferocious assault from Luton. They scored twice, had a goal disallowed, hit the bar twice and were seriously close to a sensational comeback.
Updated
90+5 min Ogbene nutmegs Gusto, surges into the area and is crucially tackled by Jackson.
90+4 min: Luton substitution Cauley Woodrow is on for Albert Sambi Lokonga.
90+3 min Gusto is booked for timewasting at a throw-in. Luton have three minutes to find an extraordinary equaliser.
Updated
90+1 min Doughty releases the underlapping Chong, whose wicked cross somehow beats everyone in the middle. Chelsea are hanging on for dear life.
90+1 min: Chelsea substitution Alfie Gilchrist, a young defender, replaces Cole Palmer.
90 min Barkley’s marvellous backheel releases Chong on the left of the area. He hammers a low cross into the six-yard box that is booted away desperately by Thiago Silva. There will be six minutes of added time.
88 min Disasi is booked for something or other. Chong breaks down the left and cuts it back towards Adebayo, who fails to control an admittedly awkward ball. That was a chance.
The atmosphere at Kenilworth Road sounds amazing.
Ogbene’s chipped cross was met by Doughty, whose header was saved to his right by the diving Petrovic. But he pushed the ball out in front of goal instead of away, and Adebayo reacted quickest to head into the net from a couple of yards.
GOAL! Luton 2-3 Chelsea (Adebayo 87)
Oh. My. Days.
Updated
85 min: Morris hits the bar! Gallagher gives away a silly free-kick 30 yards from goal. Doughty, who has a lovely left foot, swings it to the far post, where Morris stoops to power a header towards goal. Petrovic touches it onto the bar, a marvellous reaction save, and Chelsea eventually gets the ball away.
83 min This game isn’t over. Ogbene’s deep cross is cushioned back into the six-yard box by Doughty. Barkley’s shot goes straight up in the air – that looked like a decent chance – and eventually Petrovic claims.
82 min “I don’t think Chelsea would have agreed to a buy-back clause in the Cole Palmer transfer,” says Kevin Wilson. “But even though City got a huge fee for a player with few starts under his belt, they have let one heck of a player go.”
Haven’t they just. I love how self-assured he is.
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81 min: Chelsea substitution Enzo Fernandez replaces Noni Madueke, who had a decent game and scored the crucial second goal.
GOAL! Luton 1-3 Chelsea (Barkley 80)
Ross Barkley scores against his old club. He met Doughty’s dangerous inswinging corner from the right with a fine header, flicked across Petrovic and into the far corner.
Updated
80 min: Adebayo hits the bar! Barkley wanders over the right and curls a dangerous cross into the middle. Adebayo, six yards out, stoops to head the ball off the top of the crossbar. He should have scored.
78 min A tame shot from Barkley is easily saved by Petrovic.
78 min Mengi is booked for a late tackle on Colwill.
77 min Madueke blasts just over on the run after more good work from Jackson.
NO GOAL! Luton 0-3 Chelsea
Shame as it was nicely worked. Doughty’s excellent near-post cross was met by Adebayo, who flicked an accomplished header past Petrovic. But Doughty was offside in the build-up.
Updated
GOAL? Luton 1-3 Chelsea (Adebayo 74)
This might be disallowed for offside.
Updated
The goal was made superbly by Jackson, who turned Mengi in the centre circle and slid a through ball to Palmer. Kaminski flew out to narrow the angle superbly, but Palmer improvised ingeniously to score. He dragged his studs over the ball to take it round Kaminski, dummied a couple of defenders on the line and passed the ball gently into the net. That was a wonderfully cocky finish.
Cole Palmer gets his second of the match with a brilliantly composed run and finish 🥶 pic.twitter.com/j8Ca8wgWNF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Updated
GOAL! Luton 0-3 Chelsea (Palmer 70)
Cole Palmer seals an excellent victory for Chelsea!
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68 min Tahith Chong has been very good since coming on at half-time.
67 min Barkley zips forwards and plays a good pass to Chong on the left. He slides a wonderful low cross that rolls right across the face of goal and behind for a goalkick. Morris and Adebayo were on their heels; had either gambled they’d have had an open goal.
66 min Mengi stands on the back of Jackson’s boot, an unpleasant (though possibly accidental) challenge that might have brought a yellow card.
65 min For all their admirable endeavour, Luton still haven’t had a chance on target. Chelsea have had seven.
Updated
63 min: Luton substitution Carlton Morris on, Andros Townsend off.
62 min: Chelsea substitution Christopher Nkunku replaces Armando Broja.
61 min Jackson shuffles infield, beating three players before hitting a low drive from distance that is comfortably held by Kaminski.
59 min Petrovic takes an age over a goalkick, prompting affronted shouts from the home fans. Chelsea are managing an awkward game pretty well.
Updated
56 min Luton are starting to build up a head of steam. A goal soon wold make things exceedingly interesting.
53 min Doughty’s flat cross is chested down by Chong, who hooks a shot from the edge of the area that deflects behind off Thiago Silva. The corner is headed away by, yep, Thiago Silva. He’s having a fine game.
51 min Chelsea work a short corner to Palmer, who booms a long-range shot wide of the far post.
48 min A chance at both ends. Gusto’s cutback is crucially diverted away from Broja and Luton break. Townsend’s cross from the left bounces onto the right foot of Ogbene, whose stinging shot is really well blocked by Thiago Silva.
46 min Peep peep! Luton have made two half-time substitutions: Chiedozie Ogbene and Tahith Chong are on for Jacob Brown and Issa Kabore.
Updated
“Genuine question regarding VAR,” says Brendan Large. “When they have already stopped the game to assess an action, should they not be able to give a decision both ways? For example, in the first half play was stopped to check for a penalty against Colwill but the replay seemed to show Colwill himself being fouled. If Luton had scored from the resulting corner I’m sure there’d have been a lot of complaints and as I say the action is stopped anyway.”
While I take your point, that’s a can of worms I’d be very reluctant to open. I’d try to get the current system working properly before considering any expansion.
Half-time reading
Half time: Luton 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea are in control at Kenilworth Road thanks to two emphatic goals from Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. Luton have had an equal share of possession, but Chelsea have been better in both boxes.
Updated
45+4 min Gallagher’s long-range shot is blocked.
45+2 min Nicolas Jackson’s difficult first season continues when he is penalised for a foul throw.
45 min There will be five minutes of added time.
43 min No penalty.
42 min Doughty’s free-kick is headed behind by Thiago Silva. Doughty’s wicked inswinging corner breaks to Brown, whose close-range shot is desperately blocked.
There’s a VAR check for a potential penalty. There were certainly a few wrestling matches going on.
Updated
39 min Disasi muffs an excellent headed chance from Palmer’s free-kick, though he was miles offside.
Noni Madueke gets his second goal in as many games, and it’s a cracker. Colwill broke down the left and squared the ball to Palmer, who played a quick angled pass to find Madueke on the right edge of the area. Madueke used the overlapping Gusto by not using him, shifted the ball onto his right foot and thrashed a rising drive that beat Kaminski for pace.
Noni Madueke applies the finishing touch to a brilliant team move and Chelsea double their advantage 💥 pic.twitter.com/wHbvkwrOBU
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Updated
GOAL! Luton 0-2 Chelsea (Madueke 37)
Pick that out!
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35 min Luton take the free-kick short and do nowt with it.
34 min Luton are having their best spell of the game and have Chelsea pinned back. Bell is fouled 22 yards from goal by Caicedo…
32 min Gallagher is back on the field.
31 min In fact, Brown accidentally followed through into Gallagher after hitting the shot. Some referees would have given him a second yellow for that, although VAR can’t get involved with yellow cards. They did check to see whether it was worthy of a straight red.
Updated
30 min Gallagher is down again, this time after twisting his ankle while blocking a shot from Brown.
Updated
29 min Mauricio Pochettino will be happy with how the game has gone so far. You can’t quite say Chelsea are comfortable – no team is comfortable at Kenilworth Road – but they have kept Luton at arm’s length and created the clearer chances.
27 min Brown is booked for standing on Gallagher’s foot. It prompted a yelp of pain from Gallagher, but sadly the views of our GP in the crowd could not be heard.
25 min Brown is fouled on the left wing, which gives Luton another chance to send up the bomb squad. Doughty’s ball is slightly too deep and headed away.
24 min As the excellent Lucy Ward says on TNT Sports, Luton look threatening every time they put crosses in the box. They just haven’t done it enough so far.
23 min There’s a break in play while Broja receives treatment. As he limps to the touchline, the TV mic picks up the considered diagnosis of a medical professional among the home fans. “Embarrassment! What a fucking wanker! You’re an embarrassment!”
20 min Kabore’s awkward cross is headed up in the air by Thiago Silva. Adebayo wins the header at the far post but there’s no pace on the ball and he could only nod it straight at Petrovic.
18 min Barkley flashes the free-kick just over the bar. It was well struck but Petrovic probably had it covered.
17 min Brown is tripped just outside the area by Palmer, who might have been booked for that. The free-kick is to the left of centre, with Doughty and Barkley over it.
15 min Palmer’s really enjoyable himself in the No10 role. As well as the goal, he has played two or three lovely passes. It was his long pass that put Jackson through in the build-up to the goal.
It’s a horrible goal for Luton to concede. After Jackson had a close-range shot saved by Kaminski, Kabore played an awful pass straight to Palmer on the edge of the area. He took a touch, steaded himself and spanked an emphatic shot into the far corner. That was the finish of a player who does not want for class or confidence.
A cutting strike Cole Palmer give Chelsea the lead at Kenilworth Road 🎯 pic.twitter.com/2hLdjVBoyl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Updated
GOAL! Luton 0-1 Chelsea (Palmer 12)
He’s found the net this time!
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10 min After more good possession for Chelsea, Palmer cracks a low drive from 20 yards that is comfortably saved by Kaminski.
8 min Chelsea have settled quite well and are having most of the possession.
Updated
5 min Madueke runs Doughty down the right, then chops back onto his left foot in the area and pokes the ball back towards the onrushing Gallagher. His crisp low drive is kicked away at the near post by Kaminski.
Updated
3 min As expected, Chelsea have started with Broja up front and Jackson playing from the left.
2 min Madueke concedes a cheap free-kick on the Luton left, which allows the big men to come forward. Doughty’s cross is headed away well by Disasi.
1 min Peep peep! Luton kick off from left to right as we watch.
A reminder of the teams
Luton (possible 3-4-2-1) Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell; Kabore, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty; Townsend, Brown; Adebayo.
Substitutes: Krul, Andersen, Ogbene, Morris, Woodrow, Chong, Mpanzu, Clark, Giles.
Chelsea (possible 4-2-3-1) Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja.
Substitutes: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Gilchrist, Maatsen, Matos, Enzo, Sterling, Mudryk, Nkunku.
Referee Paul Tierney.
Updated
Chelsea’s last league game at Kenilworth Road was on 28 December 1991. The prime minister John Major was in the crowd to see Richard Harvey score a beauty.
The pre-match thoughts of both managers
"I can't speak highly enough of them, they've been incredible... they're such a tight-knit group" 🔒
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards lifts the lid on what life has been like in-camp after a tough period with @lynseyhipgrave1, @rioferdy5 and @jjenas8... pic.twitter.com/sGUczpgSEw
"It's going to be a tough game and we know we're going to face a team that are fighting and getting very good results here" 🤝
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2023
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is under no illusions about the challenges his side face up against Luton this afternoon...
🎙️ @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/9leilOfX13
Chelsea’s Premier League record in 2023
P42 W11 D12 L19 F50 A59 Pts 45. That’s fairly remarkable.
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Alternative live action
There’s the peedie matter of Celtic v Rangers in Scotland, a game that suddenly feels very relevant to the title race. Dominic Booth is watching that one.
Team news
Issa Kabore replaces Ryan Giles at wing-back for Luton, the only change from their madcap win at Bramall Lane. That means Alfie Doughty will move from right wing-back to left.
Mauricio Pochettino has changed four of the XI that started Chelsea’s victory over Crystal Palace. Thiago Silva, Noni Madueke (who scored the winner from th bench), Cole Palmer and Armando Broja come in for Benoit Badiashile, Ian Maatsen, Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk.
It looks like a selection designed to win the game from the bench. Talking of which, Raheem Sterling, available again after suspension, is among the subs.
Luton (possible 3-4-2-1) Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell; Kabore, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty; Townsend, Brown; Adebayo.
Substitutes: Krul, Andersen, Ogbene, Morris, Woodrow, Chong, Mpanzu, Clark, Giles.
Chelsea (possible 4-2-3-1) Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja.
Substitutes: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Gilchrist, Maatsen, Matos, Enzo, Sterling, Mudryk, Nkunku.
Referee Paul Tierney.
Updated
Pre-match reading
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of Luton v Chelsea in the Premier League. These teams will remember 2023 very differently. It’s been Luton’s greatest year since 1988 and Chelsea’s worst since, well, probably 1988. Their young side, on a run of four straight away defeats, are about to experience something completely different: the wintry chill of Kenilworth Road.
Luton were supposed to be relegation certainties, but the shrewd management of Rob Edwards has made them the most competitive of the promoted clubs so far. They are particularly difficult opponents on their own ground – ask Arsenal, or Liverpool, or Manchester City – and it’s a measure of their progress that a win today wouldn’t really be a shock. But it would probably be a fitting way to end the year, for both clubs.
Kick off 12.30pm.
