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LIVERPOOL regained their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League after beating Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield.Northern Ireland star Conor Bradley was the star man with his first Reds goal plus two assists.
Diogo Jota, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz also scored for the Reds, while Christopher Nkunku pulled one back for the Blues.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Palmer

That’s all from Anfield
Jurgen Klopp described it best when he said “What a performance. What a night.”
There won’t have been too many better displays among his 200 Premier League wins as Liverpool manager, and it’s a result that puts the Anfield club five points clear at the top of the table.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder as they begin the long trip back to London.
It’s Arsenal next for the Reds in another match that could go a long way to deciding the eventual outcome of the title – and we’ll be at the Emirates on Sunday for every kick. You’d do well to join us.
Until then, thanks for reading and goodnight,
Copy linkCopiedPoch: Penalty decisions not to blame
Mauricio Pochettino refused to hide behind decisions not going his side’s way after Chelsea fell to heavy defeat an Anfield.
The Blues had four penalty appeals turned down over the course of their 4-1 defeat, two of which looked pretty damning on replay.
However, the Chelsea boss admitted that his team were second best throughout the contest despite feeling aggrieved by VAR outcomes.
It’s not a final excuse. They deserved to win. They were better than us. I don’t want to talk about the [penalty decisions] because it’s part of football.Mauricio PochettinoTNT Sports

Copy linkCopiedKlopp delighted by Liverpool showing
Jurgen Klopp may just be the happiest he’s ever been after any of his 200 Premier League victories.
The Liverpool boss was all smiles in his post-match interview as he paid tribute to his players and the support they received throughout.
What a performance. You have to play outstandingly well to keep Chelsea calm, but the way we started was really strong. A great night. What an atmosphere. What a football game.Jurgen KloppTNT Sport
Copy linkCopiedExtra! Read all about it!
If anybody thought Liverpool’s players and supporters were going to wallow following the news of Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure, then they have once again been proved wrong – as Phil Thomas points out in his match report of the Reds’ 4-1 win over Chelsea.
“They have always known how to party on Merseyside – but this is stretching the point even for them.
“Because at this rate, Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield farewell is going to turn into the longest leaving bash in living memory.
“All those Liverpool loyalists certainly weren’t joking when they said they’d make his final few months in town extra special.
If Liverpool carry on like this, Klopp will need a bigger suitcase to fit all his medals in when he heads back home.Phil ThomasThe Sun

Copy linkCopiedTwo hundred up for Klopp
With a 4-1 win at Anfield this evening, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has became the seventh manager to clock up 200 wins in the Premier League games.
Only Pep Guardiola (269) has made it to the milestone in fewer matches than the German coach (318).

Copy linkCopiedReds move five points clear
Liverpool’s victory this evening means that they are now five points clear of both Arsenal and Manchester City, who beat Burnley earlier tonight.
Reigning champions City do have a game in hand on the Reds, but their March meeting an Anfield may already be one to pencil in the diary.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Man City 3-1 Burnley
Tottenham 3-2 Brentford

Credit: premierleague.com
Copy linkCopiedMatch stats from Anfield
Liverpool’s 28 shots tonight is the joint-most on record (since 2003-04) that any side has had in a Premier League match against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, their 13 shots on target is the most that the Blues have faced in a league match in that time.

Copy linkCopiedFull time – Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
The final whistle is blown, and so ends another excellent Liverpool performance.
It’s been four more goals for Jurgen Klopp’s team, who go five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Conor Bradley was the star of the show, scoring his first Liverpool goal and setting up another two for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Luis Diaz completed the scoring, but there was no such luck for Darwin Nunez, who became the first player in Premier League history to strike the woodwork four times in one game.
Christopher Nkunku bagged a consolation for a Chelsea side that were second-best throughout.
It’s time for Klopp to head towards the Kop…

Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
90+3. You’ll Never Walk Alone starts up again as the game enters its final moments.
If Liverpool were to reach the final of every competition they remain in, Jurgen Klopp has 29 games left as manager. He should savour every one.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
90. There will be six minutes of additional time to be played at Anfield.
Enough time for Darwin Nunez to score twice, hit the woodwork three times and headbutt a streaker.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
89. In perhaps the least surprising news of the night, Conor Bradley has been awarded Man of the Match by Ally McCoist.

Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
87. Casadei is in the thick of the action immediately, crashing into Mac Allister in the middle of the pitch.
There’s no malice in the challenge, but the Liverpool man is certainly feeling the effects and will require treatment.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea – Chelsea substitution
85. Here’s another youngster getting some minutes.
Twenty-one-year-old Cesare Casadei is on for Chelsea, taking over from Cole Palmer.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea
83. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed by the Opta nerds that Darwin Nunez has become the first ever player to strike the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.
One day it’s going to click for the chaotic forward and he’s going to end the season with 240 goals.

Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea – Liverpool substitution
81. With the points in the bag, it’s another runout for Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark.
The son of former Fulham and Newcastle star Lee replaced Curtis Jones.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea
79. Darwin Nunez may not have got his goal tonight, but he does have an assist to his name – and a fine one at that.
This time Liverpool open up Chelsea down the left, and their maverick striker whips in a peach of a cross between goalkeeper and defence.
At the far post, Luis Diaz takes the gamble in front of Benoit Badiashile to slam home from close range.
It’s the eighth of the season for the Colombian, and this Liverpool forward line are once again showing that they are not reliant on Mo Salah.

Copy linkCopiedA fourth for Liverpool!

Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
75. Nunez hits the woodwork again!!
This time it’s a thumping header at the back stick that leaves the goal frame shaking.
Astonishing stuff.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
73. Chelsea have impetus and belief, and now they want a penalty!
Out of their four appeals tonight, this is the most convincing as Nkunku goes down on the edge of the box under pressure from Van Dijk.
Paul Tierney says no, and despite replays showing that the Dutch defender went through the Chelsea substitute, VAR John Brooks agrees.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
71. Too little, too late or the start of a magnificent fightback?
Either way, it’s finally something for the Chelsea fans to cheer, and another glimpse of Christopher Nkunku’s immense talent.
The substitute shows off some lovely close control inside the Liverpool penalty area before poking a shot into the bottom corner of Alisson’s goal.

Copy linkCopiedConsolation!

Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea – Liverpool quadruple substitution
68. Bear with me…
Right. On comes Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.
Off goes Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota.
Note to Premier League managers: stop doing that.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea – Chelsea substitution
66. Mauricio Pochettino responds to the latest setback by making his fourth change.
As Anfield celebrates, Moises Caicedo sheepishly departs to be replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka.
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea
65. If the game wasn’t over before, it is now.
It’s brilliant football from Liverpool in the build-up once again, pulling the Chelsea defence all over the pitch.
Eventually it’s worked to Conor Bradley on the right, who dinks over the perfect cross for Dominik Szoboszlai to thump a header beyond Djordje Petrovic.
It’s Bradley’s second assist of the evening, sandwiching his first Premier League goal, and will surely mean he is named man of the match.

Copy linkCopiedIt’s three!

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MANCHESTER CITY host Burnley in a midweek Premier League clash TONIGHT.Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to continue their impressive form in the top flight and close the gap on table toppers Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany returns to the Etihad in the hope of a shock three points to boost Burnley’s survival hopes.

Kick off time: 7.30pm GMT
TV channel/ live stream: TNT Sports 3/discovery+

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TOTTENHAM host Brentford in a huge midweek Premier League clash in North London.With a handsome victory and results elsewhere going their way, Spurs could find themselves back in the top four, while the Bees will be hoping to continue climbing the table following Ivan Toney’s return.

Kick off time: 7.30pm GMT
TV/ live stream: TNT Sports 2/discovery+

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ARSENAL have broken the curse of the City Ground by scraping a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka earned the Gunners all three points.
And as a result, Mikel Arteta’s men are just two off Premier League leaders Liverpool.

TV channel: TNT Sports 2
Live stream: Discovery+
Nottingham Forest XI: Turner, Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo, Mangala, Danilo, Williams, Gibbs-White, Domínguez, Wood
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus

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Jesus walking on water on River Trent
Gabriel Jesus was awarded the man of the match award this evening.
With a goal and an assist, it was a productive evening for the Brazilian.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his striker can replicate the performance for many games to come in the remainder of the season.
Copy linkCopiedWing-wizard’s goal seals victory for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has been struggling for goals of late and will take great confidence in his strike today.
It was a composed finish which ended up being the difference between the two sides.
The young English winger will be hoping to take that form into the big game against Liverpool on the weekend.
Credit: EPA
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedBig games come thick and fast
When you are challenging for major silverware, you have no chance to let your guard down.
Arteta himself has admitted that they cannot afford to slip up between now and the end of the season.
Some tricky fixtures lay ahead and The Gunners can ill-afford to drop anymore points.

Copy linkCopiedArsenal pressure finally pays off
The Gunners bossed the game at the City Ground but struggled to breakdown the hosts.
When Matt Turner’s error gifted the visitors a goal, they took full advantage.
Martin Odegaard constantly made himself available in the final third to link up play and try and create the chances to get the win.

Copy linkCopiedFT: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
That could prove to be a big win for The Gunners.
It all looked comfortable at two-nil but once Forest got their goal it was very nervous stuff from the visitors.
Fortunately for the travelling fans, Forest could not find that second goal.

Copy linkCopiedFT: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
The referee brings the game to a close.
Arsenal hold on for the three points.
Forest came so close to a comeback there.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
90+6. We are in added time of added time.
Forest are launching balls into the box but unable to make anything of it.
You have to feel time has run out here.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
90+4. Big chance for Nottingham Forest.
As Arsenal cannot clear the ball, it is flicked on and Awoniyi is there once again.
He cannto get enough of a connection on the ball and Raya is able to save his effort.
Credit: AFP
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
90+2. Mikel Arteta is making the changes of a worried man.
Jorginho and Kiwior are coming on for Zinchenko and Odegaard.
Forest have a corner and a chance to try and find an equaliser.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
90. Awoniyi outmuscles Saliba to turn and shoot.
VAR is checking a possible offside in the build-up.
Looking at the replay, this would be an incredibly harsh decision as it looks like Zinchenko is palying him on by some distance.
The goal will stand, we could have a grandstand finish with five added minutes.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Copy linkCopied
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
88. Nelson looks set to come on for Arsenal.
Arteta with the chance to rest a few players for the weekend.
Forest have offered very little in the final third tonight.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
86. The Forest owner is at the City Ground tonight.
He will not be happy with what he seen this evening.
With a potential points deduction in the offing, it is all very negative on the banks of the River Trent right now.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
84. Saka steals the ball back in the middle of the park.
He takes one touch to get it onto his left foot and looks to shoot from a long way out.
Forest gets players in front of the ball and block the effort.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
82. Trossard has a shot at goal from the edge of the box.
It whistles over the bar but isn’t a million miles away.
Arsenal look in full control of this game now.
Christmas may be over but the Forest gifts tonight have proved a telling factor in this result.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
80. This will be a big result for Mikel Arteta’s side going into their game at the weekend against Liverpool.
Forest need to find a goal to make a game of this in the final stages.
It is not a good evening for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side with Luton Town currently leading 4-0 against Brighton.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
78. Elanga comes on for Forest, Williams the man he is replacing.
Another player the home fans will be happy to see returning from injury.
Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli come off for Trossard and Nketiah.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
76. The away end is in full voice now.
Continuing to sing their own version of ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’.
Something along the lines of ‘we’ve conquered all of Nottingham….’
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
74. You would have to say that Saka’s goal has sealed the points.
It would take some implosion by Arteta’s side to allow Forest back into this game.
The Gunners pass the ball around now, knowing they have a lead to protect.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
72. Another howler from the Forest defence.
Montiel gifts the ball to Arsenal and Odegaard plays in Jesus.
He finds Saka at the back post, who strikes a right-footed shot into the far corner.
Arteta celebrates like that goal was in the last minute of the Champions League final.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
70. Forest had done so well defensively up until that point.
With the counter-attacking tactics they are playing, you just cannot afford to gift goals to the opposition.
The former Arsenal keeper has had probably his biggest impact for The Gunners since he signed for them in 2022.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
68. Nuno Espirito Santo will want to address the goalkeeping situation in this January transfer window.
Turner has been culpible for some real howlers this season.
This is another to add to the collection.
Copy linkCopiedNottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
66. Terrible goalkeeping by Matt Turner.
The throw in to Jesus sees him run at goal at an impossibly tight angle.
He toe pokes it towards goal and it goes through the legs of the Forest keeper.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
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UNAI EMERY knew his remarkable home record at Villa would not last forever. He just would not have expected Fabian Schar to smash it to pieces.Because if you were to have a guess at naming the Premier League player to eventually send Emery’s team to their first Villa Park loss of the season, Schar’s name would not have been on the list.
Newcastle put a blow in Aston Villa’s top four hopesCredit: PA
Yet the Newcastle central defender scored his first Premier League goal for 17 months and then unbelievably, grabbed another one four minutes later.
Eddie Howe, whose side had lost four successive Premier League games, saw his side add a third when Jacob Murphy’s shot was nudged over the line by Alex Moreno.
Ollie Watkins, without a goal in his previous six Villa matches, pulled one back with 19 minutes left but Villa had too much work to do.
For Howe, who is suffering his toughest spell at Toon boss, this was a hugely pleasing performance. It was more like the Newcastle we saw from last season.
As for Villa, this was the type of below-par, disjoined performance which their opponents had been producing over the last few weeks.
Not since Arsenal left here with a 4-2 win in February 2022 had Villa lost at home and this record merely illustrates the terrific progress Emery’s side have made.
But this was a reminder that to follow Newcastle’s achievement by landing a top four spot it will still be extremely difficult, even though not impossible, for Villa.
The only negative for Howe was a first half injury to striker Alexander Isak who was replaced by Miggy Almiron, a player whose future at the club has looked uncertain but played a part in the third goal.

Yet the unlikely hero for Newcastle was Swiss centre-back Schar who grabbed one goal against PSG in the Champions League in October but whose previous top-flight goal was in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in August 2022.
His well-taken effort was no more than Newcastle had deserved as they had completely dominated Villa who had been saved by keeper Emi Martinez and some excellent blocks by Clement Lenglet and Ezri Konsa.
Before the game, Emery warned Villa to be on red alert at set-pieces as both goals in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Fulham came from corners.
Yet From Trippier’s corner, Ollie Watkins missed a header and Schar got in front of centre-back Konsa to prod the ball into the corner of the net.
Incredibly, it was Newcastle’s first Premier League goal at Villa Park since Yoan Gouffran in September 2013.
And the second soon followed with Schar in the right place at the right time. He was first to react to Anthony Gordon’s shot, which had deflected onto the bar off Lenglet.
Lacking ideas and energy, the nearest Villa came to a goal was a header from John McGinn over in first half injury time.
Fabian Schar scored Newcastle’s secondCredit: Getty
Yet any realistic hopes of a Villa revival went down the gurgler just a few minutes into the second half.
Matty Cash was caught sleeping and lost possession, Gordon ran unchallenged for 30 yards and he fed Almiron whose first-time cross was met at the far post by Murphy.
Alex Moreno helped the ball over the line before smashing into the post – and it certainly looked pretty painful. 
Moussa Diaby had a goal-bound shot blocked by Schar but Watkins then pulled one back by turning in a near post cross from Leon Bailey, who had a big impact when coming on.
Almost directly from the restart, Watkins thought he had scored again when he clipped a shot over Martin Dubravka but he was offside.
Sean Longstaff should have made it 4-1 in the 89th minute but Martinez delivered a terrific save.
During nine minutes of stoppage time, Newcastle’s fans sang the name of their boss.
That FA Cup win at Fulham was crucial but so was. And for the time being, with injured players returning to fitness, it seems as Howe has overcome his particularly nasty spell at the club.
The pressure is off – for the time being at least.
Jacob Murphy celebrates with Miguel AlmironCredit: Getty
Unai Emery home record was brokenCredit: PA More

ROY HODGSON watched his star men ease the pressure on his Crystal Palace job before having them both snatched away.Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise put on a masterclass at Selhurst Park to grab a first win of 2024 but both limped off before full-time.
Michael Olise grabbed a crucial winner for Crystal PalaceCredit: Rex
The attacker let fly to turn the game on its headCredit: Rex
Eze scored twice with assists from Olise before he got his own spectacular winner but good news never seems to last too long at Crystal Palace this season.
But the result is all that truly matters in games like this, especially when it had looked like it could have been curtains for Hodgson after Ben Brereton Diaz fired rock-bottom Sheffield United into the lead after just 20 seconds and James McAtee put them ahead once again after Eze’s first.
Earlier in the day a senior figure at Selhurst Park had conceded this was a “big night for Roy Hodgson” with the former England manager having been under increasing pressure of late.
The expectation was that defeat here would lead to the end of the 76-year-old’s managerial career.
But even before kick-off there was some solace for Hodgson.
Olise was back from injury, Jordan Ayew returned from international duty with Ghana and – crucially – there were new signings.
Daniel Munoz was paraded in front of the fans after signing a deal until 2027, while Adam Wharton was last night completing his move from Blackburn.
While all that will have filled the hosts with hope, Hodgson knows only too well how cruel football can be.

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Before many had taken their seats for this crucial contest, Palace were behind – cut apart from kick-off.
Without touching the ball the hosts were one down to a team which had not managed to score a goal inside the opening 30 minutes of a Premier League game this season.
And while Brereton Diaz supplied a fine finish, it all looked too easy.
The ball was clipped forward to Ollie McBurnie, who flicked it into Gustavo Hamer. The former Coventry man was allowed the time to craft a well-angled ball out to Brereton Diaz who collected, cut inside Chris Richards and picked out the far corner.
It was the last thing Hodgson needed.
While the veteran boss has not helped himself this season he has also been dealt a rough hand.
Palace have been without the talent of Olise and Eze for so much of this campaign. Any manager would struggle without those two in their side.
The hosts had put some pressure on after the early shock and, having found space on the edge of the box, Olise crafted the opening to equalise.
Ben Brereton Diaz found the net after just 20 secondsCredit: Rex
It was the perfect start for the struggling BladesCredit: Reuters
Eberechi Eze got Palace on level termsCredit: Getty

The Frenchman clipped a ball over the Blades’ back line where Eze leapt and prodded home with an outstretched leg.
Including last night the influential duo have only started four games together this season.
Because of that Palace have had to be tight at the back, but they were far from it in the first half.
Eze lost the ball cheaply in midfield while McBurnie shrugged off Will Hughes and Joachim Andersen with little trouble before finding McAtee, whose strike deflected off Marc Guehi and in.
While the back door was wide open at times, Eze and Olise were still fighting up top.
Olise rolled the ball into Eze’s feet, where he turned Vini Souza before bending a spectacular effort into the far corner with his supposedly weaker foot.
Things got a bit more difficult for the visitors when, shortly after the restart, January signing Ivo Grbic was very reluctantly forced off after a clash with Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Wes Foderingham replacing him in goal.
He later curled in a wonder goal for 2-2Credit: Getty
Eze will be hoping to fire Palace up the Premier League tableCredit: Reuters
Olise limped off in worrying scenes for Roy HodgsonCredit: PA
Daniel Munoz was presented to the Selhurst Park fans following his January transferCredit: Getty
But the man recently relegated to second-choice keeper was sharp to stop Olise, keeping his effort out at the near post after a superb ball through from Jefferson Lerma.
Foderingham could do nothing about Olise’s next attempt. Having been set down the right by Eze’s quick feet, the No7 found Mateta.
The striker’s cross was blocked but the ball fell loose on the edge of the area where Olise arrived to caress a first-time finish into the bottom left.
But while the Palace fans were still celebrating, Olise was down calling for help and had to walk off after 68 minutes, with Eze joining him on the bench minutes later having needed treatment himself.
Things almost got worse when Anel Ahmedhodzic glanced a late header onto the bar. But Palace, and Hodgson, survived.
Here’s how the action unfolded at Selhurst Park… More

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.
Elijah Adebayo is the first Luton player to score a Premier League hat-trickCredit: Reuters
Adebayo opened the scoring just 18 seconds into the matchCredit: Reuters
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.
Chiedozie Ogbene put Luton 2-0 up after three minutesCredit: Getty
Adebayo scored again just after half timeCredit: PA
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. 
The striker completed his hat-trick before the hour markCredit: Reuters
Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi were left stunnedCredit: Reuters
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. 
Tom Lockyer received a hero’s welcome on his return to Kenilworth RoadCredit: PA
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