Andros Townsend joked that his winner against Newcastle was only the second time he’s headed the football, but admitted it’s a “blessing” to play for Luton as he didn’t think he’d ever play or score again in the Premier League.
The 32-year-old joined the Hatters in the summer after having a contract offer withdrawn at the last minute by Burnley in the summer. At that point, he’d not played competitively since suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament in March 2022 while at Everton.
He had previously revealed that he broke down in tears after the bad news from the Clarets, fearing that his chance to play top-flight football had vanished. But Town took a chance on him, with a short-term deal until January and he made his debut in October at Nottingham Forest and in nine appearance has been increasingly influential for the Hatters.
It was his assist for Elijah Adebayo that gave Luton hope of a major upset against Manchester City in the previous home game, though the champions turned it around.
And then against Newcastle he scored the only goal, which was his first in the Premier League since October 2021 at Old Trafford – a rare collector’s item it was too.
“(It’s) only the second headed goal of my career,” Townsend said, adding: “I don’t get many of those but we were working on that during the week. The guys worked tirelessly, the analysts, the coaches, and they said there might be something for me around the back post if I hover around, stay on the keeper and hover around the back post and I got my reward.
“It’s been a tough road back for me, so that was an incredibly special moment for me.”
His only other headed goal came for Ipswich against Swansea in December 2010 and he joked: “I don’t usually head the ball. It’s probably only the second time I’ve headed the ball as well.”
But the winner for Luton, to secure only their third Premier League win of the season, marked another milestone for the former England international.
Townsend said: “It’s been a long road back. I didn’t think I’d see these days again. So, to be back here, to be contributing, to be scoring, to be assisting a few weeks ago, to be healthy, to be fit, is really a blessing and I’m loving every minute I’m on the pitch. Hopefully that will continue into the new year.”
After his decisive header, Townsend ran straight to the touchline where he was handed Tom Lockyer’s shirt to hold aloft in tribute after the club captain suffered a cardiac arrest last week against Bournemouth.
He said: “It’s been a tough week for everyone but Locks has already messaged the group, saying how proud he is of us and how happy he is that we got the win.”
And the midfielder was also regaled with a new chant, as Luton fans repurposed the old ‘Last Christmas’ song previously sung for Harry Cornnick.
“It’s nice,” said Townsend, adding: “ was surprised when I heard it for the first time. I haven’t heard that before in my life, It’s great when you have a set of fans who appreciate you and I’m feeling the love here. Long may it continue into the new year, hopefully.”
