Luton Town have been all but relegated from the Premier League after losing 3-1 at West Ham United, who managed to send off manager David Moyes in style in the Scot’s final home game in charge of the Hammers.
Luton led at half-time thanks to Albert Sambi Lokonga’s early header, only for the home side to hit back with three goals in the second half.
The recalled James Ward-Prowse’s well-taken strike brought West Ham early in the second period, before Tomas Soucek’s thumping volley and young substitute George Earthy’s first Hammers goal sealed the comeback.
As a result, Luton’s demotion from the Premier League will now be mathematically confirmed if Nottingham Forest get a point at already-relegated Burnley on the final day, while West Ham can still finish as high as eighth in the table if other results go their way between now and the end of the season.
Luton knew they needed a miracle to stay up, with two wins from their final two Premier League games still probably not enough to stop them being relegated straight back to the Championship, but Rob Edwards’ side still gave it a good go at the London Stadium.
The visitors started the better of the two teams, taking a deserved lead when Sambi Lokonga, in space in the box, stooped to head in Alfie Doughty’s lovely curled cross from the left.
That sixth-minute opener kicked the Hammers into life, with Jarrod Bowen hitting the outside of a post, but the visitors still led at the break, with dreams of an unlikely survival bid still alive.
However, it was all West Ham in the second period as the home side deservedly got on level terms just nine minutes after the break as Ward-Prowse’s low drive found the bottom corner after fine approach play from Bowen.
The turnaround was then completed as first Soucek volleyed West Ham ahead when Luton failed to clear a corner, before the icing on the cake was provided by Earthy, 19, who scored his first goal for the club with his first touch 67 seconds after coming on, tapping home from close range after Mohammed Kudus’ driving run to the right byline and pull back.
Moyes was then given a rousing reception from the home faithful as West Ham’s players and their families enjoyed an end-of-season lap of honour, while a tearful Edwards and his Luton players were also applauded from the field by their own fans. (Sky)