After a 31-year-long run of absence from the English Premier League (EPL), Luton Town have returned. The Hatters join English Championship champions Burnley and Sheffield United in the promotion to the EPL and will replace Southampton and any two of Leeds United, Leicester City and Everton in the top flight next season.
The EPL ends this evening with the face Leeds United, Leicester City and Everton to be decided at the end of their matches. Leeds host Tottenham, Leicester are at home to West Ham United, while Everton will have their fans behind them as they welcome Bournemouth.
Luton completed a fairytale journey to the EPL after beating Coventry on penalties in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Saturday.
Both sides played 1-1 after extra time before Luton secured a win from a 6-5 penalty shootout.
It’s quite a thrilling end-of-season campaign for Luton Town as financial experts estimate that the club will receive a whooping £170 million ($210 million) after earning a promotion into the best league in the world.
Luton is the first club to go from the fifth tier to the top flight in the EPL era, after their last feature in the EPL thirty-one years ago.
Midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu has been on that whole journey and becomes the first player to go from the National League to Premier League with the same club.
“I feel like I completed football. It’s been a journey. It’s going to be a party all summer”, Mpanzu said.
Some of Luton’s cash windfall will go to upgrading the club’s stadium, Kenilworth Road, which with a capacity of just over ten thousand and set among rows of terraced houses, will be hosting a list of top teams with thousands of supporters.
Luton had to recover from an early shock when captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the field.
The Welsh centre-back was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where the club confirmed he was responsive and able to talk to his family.
“I feel really good, but the only thing I’m thinking about now is Tom Lockyer”, said Luton manager Rob Edwards.
Lockyer had played his part when Luton had the ball in the net after just five minutes when Gabriel Osho was flagged offside as he forced the ball in from close range.
But a bright start from Edwards’ men was rewarded at twenty three minutes when Elijah Adebayo’s good work down the left teed up Jordan Clark to smash home at the near post.
Coventry looked like a side that had stage fright in front of 85,000 people in the first half.
But Mark Robins’ side has grown used to thriving in adversity.
In their 22 years away from the top flight, Coventry have been forced out of their home city to Northampton and Birmingham due to financial issues in leasing their stadium.
Even when restored to Coventry, they began the season at the foot of the Championship table after being unable to host home games due to the state of their pitch which had been used for rugby at the Commonwealth Games.
Coventry were much improved after the break and got their reward twenty four minutes from time when Viktor Gyokeres teed up Gustavo Hamer to fire into the far corner.
Tired legs and tension took over in extra-time, but Coventry had a massive let-off four minutes from time.
Joe Taylor slotted home after charging down Jonathan Panzo’s clearance, but the goal was ruled out as the ball struck the Luton man’s hand.
During the penalty shootout, all eleven players who were already under intense pressure converted their spot kicks.
