First goals of the season from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee were enough for Luton to pick up their third win of the campaign against a Wycombe Wanderers outfit, whose inadequacies at this level were exposed at Kenilworth Road, with a 2-0 scoreline which heavily flattered the Buckinghamshire outfit.
In a broken up first period where the dark arts of the game were shining brightest, Town finally got on top towards the end of it and thought they had taken the lead when Mpanzu got in down the right and crossed for Jordan Clark whose header was cleared off the line by visiting defender Darius Charles.
Nathan Jones’ charges went into the break on top and came out of it in a different gear and were ahead on 58 minutes when Harry Cornick laid the ball back to Mpanzu on the edge of the box, allowing the midfielder to look up and curl delightfully beyond Ryan Allsop in the Wycombe goal.
Town went in search for a second and twice came close to getting it. Luke Berry was denied by the visiting stopper at the end of a fine counter-attack involving Cornick, before Sonny Bradley had an effort from close range cleared off the line.
Simon Sluga was largely a spectator in the home goal, with his only work of note coming via deflections from his own players. Even then the efforts were easy enough for the Croatia international to keep out.
It looked like Luton were cruising to a single goal win but they had to survive a scare when Wycombe had the ball in the net through substitute Scott Kashket on 86 minutes, but the linesman had his flag up long before the ball had gone in.
The Hatters ensured the victory they deserved late on, one which sends them up to fifth in the Championship table, when game changers Kazenga LuaLua and Lee combined with the latter firing home from 10 yards out two minutes from time.
Hatters boss Jones was delighted with a third win in four Championship games, with the result propelling Town into the play-off positions. And, after last week’s derby day defeat, Luton leapfrogged arch rivals Watford after the Hornets’ first defeat of the league campaign to undefeated and high-flying Reading.
“I know the fans will say beating Watford is the be-all and end-all, but it’s not, it’s about being where we are in the league and we are in a wonderful place in the league,” Jones said.
“We needed that second to rubber-stamp it, we had a little scare in terms of the offside goal. If it’s offside, it’s offside, but I thought we were the better side today without disrespecting anyone, so I’m pleased with that.
“You can never feel totally comfortable when you play against Wycombe because they’re direct, they run, they put you under pressure. The kitman is probably as involved in the game as anyone, the owner is involved in the game more than anyone, and it’s more prominent with no fans here.
“It was tough but I thought the referee was excellent in terms of how he handled it because there was a lot of pressure on him.
“I’m delighted with the win, all I’m concerned about is us. We should have scored more but we go into the international break in a real good place.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 7.5
The Town keeper was a spectator for long periods but was called into action to save deflections from Luke Berry and Matty Pearson in the second half. Sluga will be hoping for many more outings like this one.
Martin Cranie – 7
Employed at right-back as deputy for the injured James Bree, the experienced defender was efficient defensively and combined well with Harry Cornick down the right hand side. He’ll have harder tests but offers a reliable back-up plan on the right side of the defence.
Matty Pearson – 7.5
Dealt well with the countless long balls that were pumped forward from the visitors despite seeming to pick up an injury early on. Had a chance to score in the first half. Sometimes guilty of playing aimless long balls but a solid effort on his 100th appearance for the Hatters.
Sonny Bradley – 8.5
Another classy performance from the Hatters’ captain. A rock defensively, he showed confidence on the ball, including in the first half when going close with a 30-yard thunderbolt. He was almost on the scoresheet in the second period too and continues to look at home at this level.
Rhys Norrington-Davies – 7.5
Linked up well with housemate Jordan Clark down the left side. Wasn’t tested defensively but got forward to link the attack whenever possible. Rounded off a big week for the youngster – after his first call-up to the Welsh national side – with another solid display.
Glen Rea – 8
The shield that the defence missed at Vicarage Road last week, Rea broke up plenty of forward intent from the visitors and showed good composure on the ball when necessary. Good to have him back in the centre of the park.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 9 (Man of the Match)
The best performance of the season so far from the energetic midfielder. On an afternoon where space was hard to come by he never stopped wanting the ball. His bursts forward sparked the Town into life in the first half and capped off his performance with a lovely goal after the break.
Luke Berry – 8
The creative midfielder found it hard to get on the ball in the key areas of the pitch but his set-pieces caused some problems and he used the ball well. He should probably have done better with his second half chance but continues to show he belongs in this side.
Jordan Clark – 8.5
This was a full league debut for the summer signing and he didn’t disappoint. Very lively down the left and unlucky not to get his third goal of the season, he played a couple of telling passes that team-mates should have done better with. He took his chance in the starting XI very well.
Harry Cornick – 8
Had the beating of the Wycombe left-back at will and got into countless good positions. His final ball was questionable for much of the game but one which did click should have been converted by Luke Berry. He almost got on the end of a lost cause but couldn’t quite bundle the ball past the keeper.
James Collins – 7
Quiet game for the Hatters’ talisman. He kept two strong defenders occupied but couldn’t find space in the box to get a clear cut chance.
Substitutes
Kazenga LuaLua – 7.5
Replaced Jordan Clark on 73 minutes but spent the last 10 minutes on the right. Contributed with a trademark turn and run to the byline to set up the second goal. A perfect cameo from the first game-changer.
Elliot Lee – 8
He came on for Harry Cornick with 10 minutes to play and was soon into his work with a shot at the end of a good move. Popped up in the box to convert the LuaLua cutback for the second goal.
Danny Hylton – Not on long enough for a mark.
Subs not used: Shea, Kioso, Tunnicliffe, Moncur.
