Luton boss Nathan Jones accepted “a little of the responsibility” for the slow start that saw Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham bag an early brace, but said he was “proud” of his Hatters’ response despite their exit from the FA Cup.
It could have been a different outcome but cup giant-killing dreams don’t often come true, and so it proved for Town and Chelsea fan Harry Cornick, who had the chance he’d been hoping for to hurt his heroes but was found wanting.
The Londoners were always in charge of the FA Cup fourth round contest, but the Hatters striker had the chance to cancel out Abraham’s 17-minute double before he eventually fired his hat-trick.
But Cornick is still searching for his first goal of the season after seeing beleaguered Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pull off a rare stop. In truth, the Town forward should have aimed low, so his chest height blast made it easier to stop, but it was the contest’s only what-could’ve-been moment.
Chelsea could’ve been out of sight by the break, but Jones changed shape and the goalie gaffed again to let Jordan Clark’s volley past him for Luton to half the deficit.
Still, Town’s stopper Simon Sluga was the busier as he denied Abraham, Christian Pulisic (twice) and kept Timo Werner’s penalty out late on.
But there was no fairytale finale for Luton once the Premier League outfit had danced through their defence to see Abraham collect the match ball by walking it into the net.
It was a sublime move, free from the two-ball controversy of his opener, for which Jones blasted referee David Coote, and highlighted the chasm in clinical finishing that should separate a star-studded team of internationals against a Luton side punching above their weight, sitting mid-table in Championship.
Jones said: “I thought we did (give Chelsea a run for their money). After we got to grips with the first 15/20 minutes. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
“I accept a little of the responsibility for that. I wanted us to be bold in our shape and what we did, so we could get a little bit more possession in the game, because I didn’t want to just defend.
“Maybe we got things tactically wrong. It was tactically not quite there in the first 15 minutes, but once we made the change, I thought we were excellent.
“We were disciplined, we had a goal threat and we could’ve scored on the edge of half time.
“We’re playing against a wonderful side that, overall, deserved to win, but it’s a great test for us, so I’ve very proud of the group for that.”
It’s back to league concerns now for the Hatters, humbled by a cup exit, but by no means devastated after a decent showing.
PLAYER RATINGS:
SIMON SLUGA – 6.5 (star man)
Was off his line quick to sweep up with Tammy Abraham though on goal from a fabulous defence-splitting ball from Hakim Ziyech. He got caught in no man’s land for Tammy Abraham’s second goal, but he made up for that, twice denying Christian Pulisic and his penalty save to deny Timo Wener.
KAL NAISMITH – 5
Cut out a Timo Wener cross early on, but much of Chelsea good play in the early stages came down his side of the pitch, so he was kept busy. Replaced by George Moncur on 75 minutes.
SONNY BRADLEY – 5
Didn’t have an eye on Tammy Abraham, which gave the striker the freedom of Stamford Bridge to pick his spot and open the scoring. Had a scoring chance himself at the end of the first half.
TOM LOCKYER – 4.5
Couldn’t stop Timo Wener’s cross for the opener and then didn’t do enough to put off Tammy Abraham as he headed his second.
JAMES BREE – 5.5
Provided the assist for Jordan Clark’s goal. Replaced by Kazenga LuaLua on 62 minutes.
GLEN REA – 4
He began in a central defensive three and, like Sonny Bradley, he no idea where Tammy Abraham for the opener. After Chelsea’s second he moved back into midfield and Town played better. Replaced at half time by Dan Potts.
RYAN TUNNICLIFFE – 5
Solid display after Town steadied themselves from Chelsea’s quick-fire brace. Replaced by Luke Berry on 62 minutes.
PELLY-RUDDOCK – 6
Was involved in the build-up for Jordan Clark’s goal, having had to point out to referee David Coote, to no avail, that there were two balls on the pitch before Chelsea opened the scoring. Provided the assist for Harry Conick’s big second half chance.
KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 5.5
No surprise, he was Luton’s best player on the ball when Chelsea were piling on the pressure in the first half, but he had his work cut out to pull the strings as he has in the Championship.
HARRY CORNICK – 4
It was always going to be an afternoon where chances were few and far between, but he had a huge opportunity to equalise in the second half, but saw Kepa Arrizabalaga get a firm hand to it. That was his last taste of action as he was replaced by James Collins on 62 minutes.
JORDAN CLARK – 5.5
He halved the deficit with a strike on 30 minutes, squeezing a low volley past Kepa Arrizabalaga for is third of the season. Tripped Timo Werner for a Chelsea penalty and was booked.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
DAN POTTS – 5.5
Did well to get forward and start the move that should’ve seen Harry Cornick equalise. He put off Tammy Abraham in the air at 2-1, but then lost out to the striker moments later as he tapped in his hat-trick.
JAMES COLLINS – 4
Not the result he would’ve wanted to mark his 500t club appearance. Didn’t have a chance to crown it with a goal.
KAZENGA LUALUA – 4
Couldn’t twist and turn to create openings as he usually does.
LUKE BERRY – 4
Made some good runs but they came to very little.
GEORGE MONCUR – 4
So often a super sub for Town, this wasn’t one of those afternoons to add to his CV.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Danny Hylton, Elliot Lee, Sam Nombe.
Scoring is a bit harsh there but it’s all subjective! Yup we didn’t start and handed Chelsea a 2 goal head start. That first goal wouldn’t have been allowed if it had been scored by us I suspect. I also think Collo would have had a yellow if he’d taken the kind of dive Chelsea did for their first attempt at getting a penalty.
Their penalty miss was maybe justice. But it was worrying that Collo fell to ground too easily and we were completely cut open. 4-1 would’ve flattered Chelsea despite them being clearly better. We won’t play any better teams this season but we have to be better at defending quick attacks.
My only disagreement is with what you saw in Naismith. He played a negative part in every Chelsea goal. Poor at left back, not better at left wing and definitely not a right wing. He never closed anyone down and only made one tackle defensively. He also never offered space in attack. He spent most of the game seemingly trying to figure out what position he was supposed to be playing. He reminded me of Butterfield.
He has plenty of time to come good for us. But his 3 appearances so far far don’t fill me with confidence. I really hope I’m wrong as it’s clear NJ really rates him so he’s going to get a lot more game time. The team can’t keep trying to carry him though so he has to improve a lot and quickly.