Luton’s Premier League survival hopes are hanging by a thread after being held to an unhelpful 1-1 draw with rejuvenated Everton.
The Hatters squandered their chance to climb out of the relegation zone and temporarily above Nottingham Forest, despite a spirited fightback against the already-safe Toffees, falling behind to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin spot kick before drawing level through Elijah Adebayo.
Calvert-Lewin, so reliable from the spot, converted a cool penalty after Teden Mengi had wrestled Jarrod Branthwaite to the ground from a corner in the 24th minute.
But Luton were only behind for seven minutes, restoring parity when Adebayo collected Sambi Lokonga’s raking pass on his chest, before shrugging off Ashley Young and slamming beyond Jordan Pickford.
The result, while positive, does little for Luton’s increasingly uphill battle to stay in the division – now level on 26 points with Forest having played a game more. Everton, meanwhile, can play out their remaining two fixtures in comfort, safe in the knowledge that survival is a sure thing.
This felt like Luton’s greatest chance. Perhaps it will be remembered as the moment survival slipped away.
In direct contrast, Everton’s hard graft over the past fortnight, earning three successive wins, meant they entered the game with pressure off. “We’ve earned the right to enjoy a bit of freedom,” Dyche said pre-match. He was right.
