A clinical Chelsea performance saw them edge past Luton 3-2 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday as Mauricio Pochettino breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle.
At a raucous Kenilworth Road Luton pinned Chelsea back for most of the game but clinical finishes from Cole Palmer (twice) and Noni Madueke put Chelsea 3-0 up early in the second half.
Ross Barkley, who was excellent against his former club, headed home for Luton to make it 3-1 and Elijah Adebayo then made it 3-2 as the Hatters hit the bar on multiple occasions, had a goal disallowed and made this an extremely tough outing for Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side ended a terrible 2023 on a high with back-to-back wins to put them on 28 points for the season as they chase European qualification. Luton remain in the relegation spots but Rob Edwards will take plenty of positives from this performance.
Chelsea saved as clinical finishing finally arrives
This was a game Chelsea would have lost for most of this season but thanks to clinical finishes from Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke with basically their three best chances of the game, Mauricio Pochettino’s side survived a huge scare at Luton Town. Chelsea found their shooting boots when they needed it most. All season long they’ve created lots of chances in so many games and haven’t put them away but this time the opposite was true. Like opponents have often done to them, Chelsea made the most of their opportunities and hung on, just about, to get the win. There are still so many problems for Pochettino to sort out and wins against relegation-haunted Crystal Palace and Luton to see out 2023 won’t get pulses racing at Stamford Bridge. But it’s a start and Chelsea proved that when they need to they can finish clinically and that is the main positive Pochettino will take away from their win at Luton as they remain in touching distance of the top six.
Luton vs Chelsea player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see Ross Barkley had yet another superb game in midfield for Luton and Alfie Doughty was a constant threat on the left. Chelsea goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic played really well to keep Luton at bay as best he could, while Cole Palmer’s cool finishes were exceptional and Noni Madueke had another good outing.
What’s next?
Chelsea are next in Premier League action on Saturday, Jan. 13 at home against Fulham. Luton head to Burnley on Monday, Jan. 15 in a huge game at the bottom of the table.
How to watch Luton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET, Saturday (December 30)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Luton vs Chelsea live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Wow. What a game. Luton probably deserved a point but Chelsea finally finished off their best chances in a game and that was just enough to get the three points. What an atmosphere at the Kenny.
Adebayo gets another one back - Luton 2-3 Chelsea (87th minute)
After Petrovic saves Doughty’s shot, the ball drops to Adebayo and he finishes. Luton set up a wild finish.
Barkley gets one back - Luton 1-3 Chelsea (80th minute)
Luton finally score! A corner from the right is flicked on by Barkley and that is a beautiful header. The Hatters deserved that.
Adebayo hits the bar from three yards out
Oh wow. Luton should have at least one goal back and they have actually been really good today. Adebayo powers a header from close range against the bar and Chelsea clear for a corner.
Adebayo thinks he has pulled one back... but VAR rules it out
Doughty was offside in the build up as his great cross was finished by Adebayo but the goal is ruled out.
Cole Palmer makes it three - Luton 0-3 Chelsea (70th minute)
Once again Cole Palmer has ice in his veins as Jackson plays him in, he rolls his foot over the ball to beat Kaminski and slots home. Chelsea cruising.
Luton are having a real go in the second half
A cross from Chong on the left flashes across the six yard but Adebayo can’t get on the end of it. Luton are hanging in there and putting Chelsea under pressure.
Half time; Luton 0-2 Chelsea
What a strange first half. Luton had plenty of the ball and put Chelsea under pressure but the Blues were clinical with their two big chances as Palmer and Madueke fired home. Pochettino will be delighted with the scoreline.
Noni Madueke fires home - Luton 0-2 Chelsea (37th minute)
Just when Luton were pushing for an equalized, Chelsea break from left to right through Colwill and Palmer finds Madueke who shifts the ball onto his right foot and smashes home at the near post. What a finish. Two goals in two games for Madueke. Hammer blow for Luton.
Hefty tackles and plenty of rain at The Kenny
It has been sustained pressure from Luton since Chelsea took the lead with Gallagher going down twice under heavy challenges and there is heavy rain and swirling winds whipping around too.
Ross Barkley fires a free kick inches over
Luton have been in this game and their direct attacks are causing Chelsea issues. They win a free kick 25 yards out and former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, who is in great form for Luton, steps up and curls a vicious effort just over the bar.
Cole Palmer fires home - Luton 0-1 Chelsea (13th minute)
After Nicolas Jackson is played in over the top his shot is saved at the near post but then Kabore makes a horrible error. He passes it straight to Cole Palmer on the edge of the box and his low shot is drilled perfectly into the far bottom corner to give Chelsea the lead. It has been a fast, frantic start at the Kenny and Chelsea are ahead as Pochettino punches the air in delight.
Luton lineup
Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell; Kabore, Barkley, Sambi Lokonga, Doughty; Townsend, Brown; Adebayo
Chelsea lineup
Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja
Focus on Luton, team news
Rob Edwards is getting some superb displays from veterans Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley, while Thomas Kaminski continues to shine in goal. They are so dangerous on the counter and from set-piece situations and after securing a big win against Newcastle in their last home game, the fans at Kenilworth Road will create yet another intimidating atmosphere that Chelsea’s superstars will have to overcome.
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Dan Potts (ankle), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Reece Burke (hamstring)
Focus on Chelsea, team news
The Blues were without Sterling and Palmer last time out due to suspension and they may have to wait for their chance to get back in the team with both Mudryk and Madueke scoring and Nkunku playing well in the No. 10 role. Lavia could perhaps start, while defensively Chelsea still haven’t find the right balance or combinations but Malo Gusto has taken his chance at right back with some marauding displays.
OUT: Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Reece James (thigh), Robert Sanchez (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Enzo Fernandez (hamstring), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (knock)
