Few results have been more symbolic of Luton’s remarkable rise from the non-league to top-flight hopefuls than this Carlton Morris-inspired 1-0 victory at Norwich City.
Nine years ago, Town were were rattling around the Blue Square Premier, but pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup giant-killings of all time at Carrow Road, when they became the first Conference side to knock out a Premier League side.
It was the same scoreline then, but something tells us that, Morris, with seven goals already, is carving an even more impressive place in Luton lore than his 2013 match-winning predecessor, Scott Rendell.
Back then, more than 85 places separated the two sides, but another away-day victory over the ten-man Canaries saw the Hatters leapfrog the Norfolk promotion favourites and move up to fourth in the Championship.
Luton boss Nathan Jones said: “If you finish above Norwich you’re going up this year so that is what we have to try and emulate. We have gone above them today and after 15 games to be above Norwich shows we’re in a good position and a good place. I’m really delighted with the win.
“We know we can get better in possession, make better choices and have a little bit more composure but for effort, desire and defensive responsibility, grind and press, I can’t ask for more.”
He added: “This is the toughest place to come in the Championship with the greatest of respect for everyone else. They’re fluent, have good players, good individuals, good structure and they can hurt you.
“I thought we were excellent tonight, defended the cage fantastically well, pressed at the right time, looked a threat on the counter and scored from a counter.”
It was a moment of quality that settled the contest. Against his former club, a sublime step over and shot into the bottom corner ended a not-at-all-concerning four-game dry spell for Morris, in which he’d instead generously spent his time teeing up Elijah Adebyo on three occasions to get his strike partner up and running.
Now, after seven games and six-and-a-half weeks since their last defeat, Luton are more than motoring. In fact, this victory made it seven games unbeaten for Town in the second tier for the first time in 26 years.
It means, that only Blackburn, Burnley and Sheffield United are above them in the Championship now and Town have comfortably beaten new leaders Rovers, were robbed by officials of victory over the Blades and drew against the Clarets in the second game of the season.
That was part of a five-game run which is increasingly being cemented as a slow start. Well, it’s foot down on the throttle now in a league that is seemingly wide open.
Whisper it, but some people are even eyeing Town as dark horses for an automatic promotion finish.
There’s a long way to go for that, but a nine-point week against promotion rivals is the next goal and a mouth-watering derby match and the preservation of bragging rights against the managerial merry-go-round merchants at Watford. This time in front of fans for the first time in 16 long years.
Jones said: “At the minute, we’re two (wins) out of two. The weekend is going to be a tough, tough game.
“I watched them play. They beat Norwich on Saturday night and they’re a real good side. They’ve got real good individuals.
“We know it’s going to be a wonderful occasion, but we’ll be ready. It is a big game, but it’s not all about Watford, it’s about us.
“We’re in top four at the minute, so we’re in a good position. We won’t get carried away, we’ll prepare right and we’ll go into Sunday in good form and confidence, but it’s a tough, tough game.”
But if Luton can beat their arch-rivals at Vicarage Road then those whispers of Luton’s Premier League destiny might just become a little louder.
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