Luton Town reach Championship playoff final after beating Sunderland in semis
It was quite a night at Kenilworth Road
Last updated 16th May 2023
Luton Town have reached the final of the Championship playoffs after beating Sunderland 3-2 on aggregate at Kenilworth Road.
Sunderland came out 2-1 winners in the first leg of the semi final last Saturday at the Stadium of Light, but the Hatters scored 2 vital goals in the return fixture in Bedfordshire to win the tie.
Luton will pay either Middlesborough or Coventry in the final at Wembley on May 28th, depending on the outcome of Thursday night's playoff semi final second leg.
The Hatters have a chance to be promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Luton started the game brightly, with their high energy pressing causing problems for the Black Cats.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute, when defender Gabriel Osho reacted quickly from a knock-down by Tom Lockyer and stabbed the ball home.
The goal proved to be a catalyst for the fans Kenilworth Road, as they saw Rob Edwards' side draw level in the tie.
Then with just 2 minutes left of the first half, Luton's skipper, and Championship team of the year player, Tom Lockyer fired home a second for the Hatters.
Sunderland didn't clear their lines from a corner. Cody Drameh found Alfie Doughty who played a teasing ball into the edge of the 6 yard box and Lockyer came charging in headed it into the back of the net.