LUTON, England (AP) — Luton earned a valuable point in its fight to avoid relegation, drawing 1-1 at home to Everton in the English Premier League on Friday.
Could it have been too little too late?
Luton remained in second-to-last place, below Nottingham Forest, which is 17th only on goal difference. The Hatters have only two dates left.
Everton’s permanence is assured.
The Toffees took the initiative through a penalty converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 24th minute.
VAR determined that Teden Mengi had restrained Jarrad Branthwaite. Calvert-Lewin scored his fourth goal in his last five appearances.
Luton recovered quickly, thanks to Elijan Adebayo. The striker scored five goals in as many games before getting injured in February.
Almost three months later he does not seem to have lost his scoring touch. In his first start since he recovered, Adebayo scored his tenth goal of the campaign.
Andros Townsend, who came on as a substitute, had his shot blocked on the line in the dying minutes as the home side raced ahead in a desperate bid for a victory that could save their campaign.
“We have given everything,” stressed Luton coach Rob Edwards, speaking to the BBC. “We were pushing until the end. That’s how we are and that’s how we’ve been all season… So I’m a little disappointed for now, but I can’t blame the players or the fans. We are still in the fight and we must continue believing.”
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