Luton lost 3-0 at Chelsea on Friday night, but it will be a night more fondly remembered by Hatters fans for what happened in the stands, as supporters produced one of the most raucous receptions the club has seen for many a year.
Long after the final whistle 3,052 fans remained in the away end, despite being free to leave, to bellow their support for a team, that gave a good account of themselves against a Chelsea side that, in one transfer week this window, spent more than five times more money on two midfielders than Town have spent on players in their entire history.
And while Luton are still to pick up a point in their debut season in the Premier League after two games, the Town fans showed they’re determined to enjoy a first season in the top flight for 31 years.
But there was some match action, which saw the Hatters compete with Chelsea but just come undone at the hands of Raheem Sterling, who scored twice and provided the assist for Nicolas Jackson.
Capturing the events was photographer Liam Smith.
Luton fans stay behind after the game to cheer on their team 
Rob Edwards and Elijah Adebayo applaud the Luton fans at the end of the game. Photo by Liam Smith 
Luton chief executive Gary Sweet (left) with director Rob Stringer watch on at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Liam Smith 
The Luton fans in full voice after the final whistle, a reaction that made boss Rob Edwards “emotional”. Photo by Liam Smith 
The Luton fans make themselves heard inside Stamford Bridge. Photo by Liam Smith 
Luton players in a pre-match huddle 
Pre-match fireworks at Stamford Bridge 
Carlton Morris tussles with Thiago Silva 
Marvlous Nakamba flies into a challenge on Connor Gallagher 
Raheem Sterling celebrates his opener against Luton. Photo by Liam Smith 
Elijah Adebayo is strong in the air 
Ross Barkley probes for an opening 
Rob Edwards plots his next move 
Ryan Giles finds some space 
Tom Lockyer keeps his eye on the game in front of him 
Carlton Morris tries his luck 
Alfie Doughty anticipates the challenge 
Tahith Chong pings a pass 
Amari’i Bell tries to track Raheem Sterling 
Amari’i Bell dejected after Chelsea score again 
Jacob Brown takes aim 
Thomas Kaminski is called into action 
Tom Lockyer keeps his eye on the ball 
Reece Burke battles his way through 
Carlton Morris leads the applause for Luton’s fans after the final whistle
