Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu netted a wonderstrike in a 3-0 win over Bristol City to become the first Luton player to score in every division from the Conference to the Championship – and then declared, ‘I only score bangers’.
Goals are a rare thing for the midfielder – with this just 15th in seven seasons – but he took it with the confident swagger of a striker, curling in the top corner to put Town ahead in the Championship clash.
Harry Cornick then rattled in his fourth of the season before Ashley Williams put through his own net late on as the Hatters notched their first home win for almost two months.
Mpanzu put in a man-of-the-match display and almost scored in the first half, but for an excellent low save from Robins keeper Daniel Bentley, but he did hit the net in the 56th minute in stunning style.
“I only score bangers so I knew that, as soon as it left my foot, it was going to go in,” he joked, adding: “Thankfully it went in and it was a first one. It’s obviously good to get off the mark.
“Three goals, clean sheet, you can’t ask for a better Saturday from us.”
Mpanzu joined Luton initially on loan from West Ham in 2013 and on his achievement of scoring in every division as Town rose to the Championship, he said: “I’m surprised I’m still here to be honest. It’s been a while. I know I have to get more goals, but scoring in every division is a credit to me, credit to the team and staff to keep believing in me. I’ve got to repay them somehow.
“I’m still here right now. Other clubs have been interested but Luton Town’s a great club and I’m still here. It’s a credit to Luton Town for keeping me.
“The staff have believed in me and I’m still here and I’ve got to repay them. It’s great that I’ve scored in every division for them, since I’ve been here.”
The clean sheet was Luton’s first in the Championship and came with James Shea restored as goalkeeper, the stopper making his debut in the division.
Mpanzu said: “Goal difference is massive. We’re in minus now but we can get on the ball, get more clean sheets, get more goals and get it into plus. It’s going to be vital for us come the end of the season.”
And to have finally got that shutout against a Bristol side that had not lost since the opening weekend of the season, and had a chance to go top of the league with a win, was a particular highlight for the Hatters.
“We go into every game thinking we can win it,” said Mpanzu, adding: “We’re in the bottom half of the table and I think everyone thinks that’s a false position for us.
“For us to get a win against a top five team that they were, it’s great for us and shows we can mix it with the best of the teams in the Championship.”
Pelly it was a beautiful strike from where I was standing in the maple.The home supporters were patient & kept pushing the team to victory! COYH