Luton Town stayed in the relegation zone after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Everton. The result keeps the Hatters in 18th place, just above the drop zone but not enough to secure their Premier League status.
Everton, already safe from relegation, took the lead in the 24th minute with a penalty by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The forward converted from 12 yards after Teden Mengi was penalized for dragging down Jarrad Branthwaite following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Luton equalized seven minutes later through Elijah Adebayo, who controlled Sambi Lokonga's high pass before firing low past Jordan Pickford to score his tenth goal of the season.
Both teams had opportunities to win in the second half. Luton's goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski made key saves from Jack Harrison's deflected shot and Calvert-Lewin's header, while Pickford denied Luke Berry's late effort. However, the score remained unchanged, resulting in a stalemate.
Luton Town now needs to win their final two games against West Ham and Fulham to avoid relegation, and they must rely on results from other matches to improve their standing. The team is level on points with Nottingham Forest but has played one game less.
Rob Edwards, Luton's manager, made two changes to the team that lost to Wolves, with Elijah Adebayo and Fred Onyedinma returning to the starting lineup. Everton, managed by Sean Dyche, made just one change, with Calvert-Lewin returning after missing the previous match due to illness.
In a lively start, Luton Town's Tahith Chong created early pressure, tempting Everton's defense into dangerous challenges. However, the referee did not award a penalty despite Chong going down in the box after a challenge by Pickford.
The breakthrough for Everton came from a corner kick, where Mengi fouled Branthwaite, leading to the penalty that Calvert-Lewin converted to give the visitors the lead. Luton responded quickly, with Adebayo showing excellent skill and strength to control a high ball and finish past Pickford.
The second half was marked by cagey play, with both teams failing to convert their chances. Kaminski's saves kept Luton in the game, while Pickford's reflexes denied the Hatters' late surge.
Despite the draw, Luton remains in the relegation fight. The final two matches will determine whether they stay in the Premier League or face relegation to the Championship. The team's performance against Everton showed they have the determination to compete, but they will need to find a winning edge to secure their Premier League status.
