Championship - Thursday 26th December 2019, 3:00 PM
Luton
3
(2)
-
(1)
3
Fulham
Attendance: 10068
Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)
Match events
5
De Cordova-Reid
LuaLua
9
Collins
28
Cornick
65
McManaman
65
70
Knockaert
70
Reed
Jones
75
LuaLua
75
76
Kebano
76
Kebano
77
Mitrovic
Cornick
84
89
Kamara
89
Bryan
94
De Cordova-Reid
Match review
Match Report
Luton Town (2) 3-3 (1) Fulham
Championship Match Day 24 1920 at Kenilworth Road
Thursday 26th December 2019 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)
|
Fulham striker Bobby Decordova-Reid struck in stoppage time as Fulham three times came from behind to claim a thrilling 3-3 draw at struggling Luton.
Decordova-Reid had already cancelled out Kazenga LuaLua's early goal with his first of the afternoon just nine minutes in.
James Collins then put Luton back in front just before the half hour, a lead that held until Championship top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home with 13 minutes left.
Harry Cornick thought he had won it for the Hatters with six minutes to go, but Decordova-Reid struck four minutes into time added on to leave Luton in the bottom three after a fourth straight defeat.
Graeme Jones' side had not played like a team who had lost nine of their last 11 games, quickly on the front foot as LuaLua punished a mistake from Alfie Mawson after just five minutes.
But the lead last only four minutes as Decordova-Reid timed his run to meet Ivan Cavaleiro's cross and head home.
Luton were back in front when Fulham failed to clear Luke Berry's free-kick into the box and Collins was able to lash home the loose ball.
Collins had the ball in the net again in the 34th minute, but the flag was already up for offside.
Mitrovic lashed narrowly wide in the opening minutes of the second half while Decordova-Reid's 63rd-minute strike was tipped over the bar as Fulham pushed for an equaliser.
It finally came in the 77th minute when Mitrovic met a corner to head home, but parity lasted just seven minutes before Cornick restored Luton's lead.
Match Stats |
Luton |
Fulham |
Goals |
(2) 3 |
3 (1) |
|
Scorers |
LuaLua 5 |
De Cordova-Reid 9 |
|
Collins 28 |
Mitrovic 77 |
|
Cornick 84 |
De Cordova-Reid 90'+4 |
 , |
Goal attempts |
10 |
19 |
On target |
3 |
12 |
Shooting Accuracy |
30% |
63% |
Possession |
35% |
65% |
Passes |
257 |
467 |
Passes Success |
63% |
81% |
Crosses |
18 |
36 |
Crosses Success |
28% |
19% |
Corners |
6 |
8 |
Tackles |
16 |
16 |
Tackles Success |
50% |
44% |
Saves |
9 |
0 |
Fouls |
9 |
11 |
Offsides |
2 |
1 |
Yellows |
0 |
0 |
Reds |
0 |
0 |
source: SkySports |
There was more drama to come, however, and Decordova-Reid's second of the afternoon earned Fulham a point that keeps them level with Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off places.
Luton's Graeme Jones: "We would have got beat six weeks ago - there's enough negatives out there if you want to go searching for them.
I was absolutely proud as punch for 97 minutes at our display in every single aspect and we're unfortunate at the end.
"I think we played them nine weeks ago - the gulf is huge, the financial gulf that's there. I think we bridged the gap with effort and quality at times, I
Fulham's Scott Parker: "I was a little disappointed with the goals we've conceded.
Scoring four goals to win a football match is always going to be difficult.
They had three shots on target and scored three goals. We put their goal under a lot of pressure, but their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves.
"We were punished by two sucker punches.
I want us to play but also smell and sense the game, and I felt we didn't do that in the first half. Being in the heat of it we're disappointed, but maybe when it all settles we'll be fine."
Luton Town: Sluga, Bolton, Pearson, Bradley, Bree, Tunnicliffe, Mpanzu, McManaman (Cornick 65), Berry, LuaLua (Jones 75), Collins
Unused substitutes: Stech, Sheehan, Shinnie, Moncur, Butterfield
Goals:
Kazenga 5 (ight footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Collins.)
Collins 28 (right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by James Bree following a set piece situation.)
Cornick 84 (right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal.)
Fulham: Rodak, Christie, Mawson, Ream, Bryan (Kamara 89), Onomah, Reed (Knockaert 70), Cairney, Cavaleiro (Kebano 76), Mitrovic, De Cordova-Reid
Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, S Sessegnon, Johansen, O'Riley
Goals:
De Cordova-Reid 9 (header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Ivan Cavaleiro with a cross.)
Mitrovic 77 (header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Anthony Knockaert with a cross following a corner.)
De Cordova-Reid 90+4(right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner.)
Referee:
Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)
Attendance: 10,068