James Justin scored on his return to Kenilworth Road to dump Luton out of the Carabao Cup on a night when a much-changed Town were completely outclassed.
Such was the scarcity of possession and home attacking highlights to cheer, that the Lutonian’s debut Foxes goal just before half time – which effectively killed off the faint hopes of a Hatters result – was applauded by sections of the home fans.
And regardless of his hometown hero status, an added rendition of “he’s one of our own” will spark polarised debate.
For Justin’s part, he did not celebrate after he gave Dan Potts the slip to smash Youri Tielemans’ exquisitely lofted through-ball past James Shea. That made it 2-0 after Demarai Gray’s opener on 34 minutes.
The 21-year-old, who left Luton in the summer, as Town’s record transfer sale, had very little to do in his primary defensive role. His Premier League team-mates quickly got hold of the ball and rarely let the Hatters have it, gobbling up 70 per cent of possession, which was Danny Ward’s goal went completely untested for 68 minutes.
But, after Izzy Brown’s introduction on the hour he perhaps he should’ve scored with Town’s first shot of the game. Ward saved but there’s a case to say that it would’ve mattered little if the Chelsea loan ace had netted, so in control were a Leicester side that had the luxury of leaving Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and Kalechi Iheanacho on a star-studded bench.
The latter would complete the scoring late on when he lobbed Shea, the keeper getting his fingertips to the shot but having to watch as it still crossed the line.
Before that, Tielemens had smashed in a third with Alan Sheehan, covering on the line, unable to keep the blast out.
The keeper was Luton’s best performer, which is highly indicative of how dominant Leicester were, but the night belonged to Justin.
The former Hatter took the opportunity to do a lap of appreciation in front of a Kenilworth Road crowd that may never get to sing his song again.
