TOM LOCKYER’S emotional return to Kenilworth Road inspired hat-trick hero Elijah Adebayo and co.
The man who embodies the spirit of the club’s back-from-the-brink story gave them the boost they needed as they climbed out of the relegation zone.
Luton hit two goals in less than three minutes, with the first coming just five seconds in from Elijah Adebayo before Chiedozie Ogbene made it 2-0.
Adebayo, who rose through the Fulham youth ranks before enjoying stints at Slough and Bognor Regis added a third on 42 minutes before completing his hat-trick on 56 minutes.
The striker was playing in League Two three years ago and it was his first-ever Prem hat-trick – the same number as Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp in the top-flight.
Captain Lockyer was in tears as he returned to the pitch which he suffered a cardiac arrest on just six weeks ago.
Foo Fighters, one of his favourite bands, was blaring out and in true, cheeky Lockyer style he was delayed to the grand unveiling after chin wagging in the dressing room.
He received a hero’s welcome by his adoring supporters who displayed a huge orange banner with his face on in the Kenilworth Stand.
It did the trick as the opening goals came on two minutes and 17 seconds against Brighton.
In Premier League history, only Leicester against Derby in April 1998, with 2-0 in the opening two minutes, have ever scored twice earlier from the start of a match.
The opener began straight from kick off as Adebayo nodded in from a Carlton Morris’ knockdown.
Jaws hit the deck when Albert Sambi Lokonga then curled a delicious cross to Ogbene who used an outrageous bit of skill to round an onrushing Jason Steele and fire home.
Brighton nearly would have nicked one back though if Danny Welbeck had slid in a fraction closer to Joao Pedro’s cross that was smack bang in front of goal.
There was more frustration for the visitors as James Milner was forced off through injury on 19 minutes and was replaced by Jack Hinshelwood – who is a whopping 20-years younger than him.
The Hatters peppered Steele in goal and the Seagulls stopper did well to push away a low drive by Jordan Clark.
Tempers flared and there was a long VAR check for a red card as Albert Sambi Lokonga was booked for catching Facundo Buonanotte after clearing the ball.
The original decision stood despite Buonanotte having stud marks punctured into his thigh.
The hosts hit back again and on 42 minutes Ross Barkley wriggled a superb ball through the defence to Adebayo who timed his run perfectly to lash home.
Rob Edwards went berserk on the touchline, racing up and down in front of the manic home fans who couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing.
Luton’s new signing Daiki Hashioka was unveiled to supoorters at half-time after arriving from Belgian club Sint-Truiden – and at this rate he must think he’s signed for peak Barcelona.
Edwards was in disbelief when Clark rifled one in from close-range on 56 minutes – but it was chalked off for offside and VAR concurred.
To be honest, any time Luton came forward they looked like scoring as time and time again Brighton shirked their defensive duties.
Luckily Lewis Dunk was on standby and leapt like a salmon to keep out a curling Ogbene shot, which served as a warning shot for what was about to happen.
Brighton were made to pay as Adebayo touched in Pedro’s flick at the near post following Alfie Doughty’s corner.
There weren’t many chances for Roberto De Zerbi’s men but one of the best ones came as Thomas Kaminski pushed away a shot which Tariq Lamptey latched onto but steered into the side netting.
Soon enough it was up the other end again though and Steele made a lightning save to deny Luton a fifth as Carlton Morris was put through on goal.
Cameras panned to Lockyer at the final whistle with a smile on his face as he clapped Edwards’ battlers as chants of “the Town is staying up” blared around Kenilworth Road.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
