Luton Town Beats Coventry, Confirms Premier League Promotion
Luton Town will play Premier League football for the first time after beating Coventry City 6-5 on penalties in the Championship playoff final after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium, earning a return to England’s top flight after a 31-year absence.
Luton dominated the first half and took the lead in the 23rd minute through Jordan Clark, who was set up by Elijah Adebayo and took one touch before firing home a left-footed shot.
They also had two goals disallowed before the break but a much-improved Coventry drew level thanks to a quick counter just after the hour mark.
Viktor Gyokeres streamed down the left side and picked out Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer in the box. Gustavo made a bursting run to meet the pass and side-footed the ball into the corner with a sublime finish.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and there was extra time.
Extra time was very tight with both sides looking not to concede to have a chance to gain promotion. However, the scores remained 1-1 as Luton’s Joe Taylor had a late goal disallowed due to handball.
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Promotion then came down to a penalty shootout.
Luton, who finished third in the Championship then sealed promotion when Coventry’s Fankaty Dabo sent his penalty off-target after the previous 11 takers had all scored their spot kicks.
Luton will now join Burnley and Sheffield United in next season’s Premier League.
Their Kenilworth Road stadium will host top-flight football for the first time since 1992, when they were relegated from the Football League First Division.
Saturday’s victory caps a remarkable change in fortunes for Luton, who were playing in the fifth-tier Conference nine years ago after a decade of financial hardship. They are the first team to go from the top tier to non-league and back.
Luton’s incredible rise continues as it was only 9 years ago they were in the Conference League, but they have now climbed up to the Premier League. For Coventry, they will have to spend at least one more year in the championship.
“I’ve completed football! I’ll retire this summer,” said Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who has played for Luton at every level on their dizzying rise.
“It’s been a journey, through the highs and lows but you’ve got to believe in yourself. Here I am, a Premier League player.”
Welcome to the Premier League, @LutonTown! 👋 pic.twitter.com/eL5FbfEN8u
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 27, 2023
