Jordan Clark came off the bench to down Derby with his second in successive matches to maintain Luton’s perfect start to the season and move second in the Championship.
Former Hatter Jack Marriott had cancelled out Luke Berry’s first of the season as Town dominated the first half – with excellent performances from Elliot Lee and Harry Cornick – and County controlled the second.
Cornick had caused Craig Forsyth all manner of problems but the base of the post was as close as he came. Then Lee whipped in a wonderfully teasing cross that Berry virtually karate kicked into the net, past David Marshall who was rooted to the spot, seemingly convinced the ball would drop into his gloves.
But after the break the Rams turned up the heat and their new signing Kamil Jozwiak teed up Marriot to clinically finish.
But the visitors couldn’t capitalise on their 52nd minute equaliser, thanks, in part, to a brave stop by keeper Simon Sluga to deny newly introduced Jamal Hector Ingram.
From there, the Hatters grew into the latter part of the game and four minutes after boss Nathan Jones had thrown on Clark and George Moncur to affect the game, the former changed it.
While the substitute will take the glory, it was put on a plate for him by Rhys Norrington Davies, who burst down the left and lofted an inch-perfect cross to the unmarked Clark to head confidently past David Marshall.
But Derby still had a last-gasp chance to take a point and when the ball fell to England’s greatest ever goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, hearts were in mouths. But, remarkably, he fired wide.
Reaction
Luton are now unbeaten in seven Championship matches, stretching back to last term and they’ve won six in a row in all competitions, including all four this season.
“I’m delighted, four wins out out four four, two wins in the league, it literally could not be any better,” said Hatters boss Jones.
“I’m really pleased overall with the win, first half we were excellent and it was as good a Championship performance as I think I’ve seen from us.
“I thought we were organised, we pressed, we were aggressive, we looked athletic, but for margins, we would have gone in further ahead.
“We were front-footed, pressed well, moved the ball and looked a real, real threat.
“I thought Harry (Cornick) was outstanding and but for something different happening, we could have been further ahead.
“I’m delighted with the goals, one a midfield player gets in the box, one a midfielder arrives back stick and these are good goals.
“These are stuff that we work on, stuff we ask and demand from them and they carry it out, as we’re on the front foot at the minute.”
Derby got back into the contest after half time and Jones said: “Second half, I thought we took our foot off the gas, took a backward step, which I don’t want us to do as you can’t do that at Championship level.
“We allowed Derby on to us, fair play to them, they’ve changed shape, tweaked certain things, with (Wayne) Rooney dropping deep and he can cause problems if you don’t get to him.
“I’m a little bit disappointed, it was probably a 20-25 minute period second half where we took a backward step and allowed them to do that.
“If you do allow players with the quality of Rooney and (Max) Bird to get in and around your box then you’re going to get punished at this level and that’s the learning curve for us.
“We did it against Norwich and we did it against Derby and we conceded.
“Luckily enough we came back and got the result, so that’s the learning curve, we want a 90 minute performance.”
Ratings:
Simon Sluga – 8
The Croatian had very little chance with a clinical finish from former Hatter Jack Marriot, but when the Rams’ goalscorer was replaced by Jamal Hector-Ingram, the keeper was quick off his line to deny the new introduction. It proved a vital stop as Luton went to grab a late winner.
Martin Cranie – 7.5
Solid and dependable at full back. He had to move from right back to defensive midfield at half time, replacing Glen Rea, and got pegged back by a resurgent Derby, but eventually got to grips with contest.
Sonny Bradley – 8
Put his head on the line at the death, in John Terry style, as he blocked an Andre Wisdom shot despite lying face down on the ground. But the captain showed composure at the start of both halves when Derby put the pressure on.
Matty Pearson – 7.5
Did enough to stop Wayne Rooney from getting any power on a third minute shot and made a timely block on Jack Marriott soon after Luton had taken the lead, but got caught on his heels as the ex Hatter hit the target and saw Jamal Hector-Ingram squirm past him, only for Simon Sluga to deny the Derby man.
Harry Cornick – 8.5 (Man of the Match)
Had the beating of left back Craig Forsyth and was a constant threat down the right. He hit the post and, for the second successive weekend, delivered a delicious cross that James Collins just couldn’t convert. He made way for George Moncur.
Luke Berry – 8
The midfielder’s first goal of the season opened the scoring as he was quicker to an Elliot Lee cross than a rooted-to-the-spot Derby keeper David Marshall, virtually karate kicking it into the net from close range.
Elliot Lee – 8
A sensational in-swinging cross for the opening goal that begged Luke Berry to attack it. Almost a wonderful through-ball to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and dictated so much of Town’s attacking play in an impressive first half. He made way for match-winner Jordan Clark on 83 minutes.
Glen Rea – 7
Dogged in his defensive duties and was particularly dominant in the air but was withdrawn at half time after feeling light-headed. He was replaced by James Bree, though Martin Cranie filled in for him in midfield and after his departure, Town weren’t as dominant for half the second period.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 7.5
He played an inch-perfect through-ball to Harry Cornick who almost laid it on a plate for James Collins to complement a hard-working performance.
James Collins – 7
Will be kicking himself not to have converted a glorious Harry Cornick cross, but he was constantly sniffing around the six-yard area.
Rhys Norrington-Davies – 8
The left back was positive in attack and, for the second game in a row, picked out the perfect cross to tee up housemate Jordan Clark for the winner.
Substitutes:
James Bree – 7
Replaced Glen Rea and had a rough introduction against Derby’s new signing Kamil Jozwiak, who was quiet in the first half but a handful early in the second. But Bree grew into the game and provided some good width in attack after Town weathered Derby’s restart.
Jordan Clark – 8
He came on in the 83rd minute, scored the winner in the 87th minute is looking a real find for the Hatters. Besides his instincts for the goal, his first touch and general liveliness are perfect for his current game-changer role. But he can’t be far off a first Championship start after a stellar beginning to his Kenilworth Road career.
George Moncur – 6
Didn’t make the impact of Clark when he was introduced alongside him, but you can always count on him to show for the ball and try to make things happen.
Unused subs: Danny Hylton, Andrew Shinnie, Kazenga LuaLua, James Shea (GK)
