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Luton v Sunderland: First Championship playoff finalist confirmed after semi final second leg

The first Championship playoff finalist is confirmed after what was an intense semi final second leg as Luton took on Sunderland.

Going into this game, we knew the Black Cats won Saturday’s first leg 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in front of a bumper crowd of 46,060.

The winner would go to face either Middlesbrough or Coventry (0-0 first leg) in the much anticipated final at Wembley on the 27th of May.

Luton finished the 2022/23 season third in the Championship while Sunderland were sixth.

A reminder, extra time and penalty shootout may be needed to decide the winner if any of these playoff ties ends level on aggregate – with no away goals rule in operation.

So how did the second leg of Luton v Sunderland play out?

It was the Hatters that were in firm control of the first half, made better when Gabriel Osho and Tom Lockyer score first-half goals for Hatters to take lead on aggregate.

10 mins – GOAL: Luton 1-0 Sunderland (2-2 agg) – Gabriel Osho

Luton went level in the tie thanks to Gabriel Osho who smashed home after pinball in the penalty box from his side’s first corner of the game.

On the 13th minute, Sunderland thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty for handball, then came very close to scoring.

Horvarth made two big saves, keeping out Ekwah from a corner at his near post then Ekwah came in on the rebound attempting to cut the ball back and it struck Bell’s arm taking it goal bound. Horvarth reacted quick, with Bell’s arm deemed in a natural position.

Shortly after, Luton thought they had scored again but O’Nien was there on the line to keep the ball out of the goal, following a mistake from Sunderland keeper Patterson, who couldn’t deal with the Luton cross from the left.

The ball ended up falling to Morris in the box and he looked to find a way through a number of Sunderland bodies, but O’Nien was there to clear. 

43 mins – GOAL: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (3-2 agg) – Tom Lockyer

Tom Lockyer, who was named in the 2022/23 Championship team of the year, then headed home a huge goal.

Sunderland couldn’t clear a corner, Cody Drameh gave the ball to Alfie Doughty who played it into a perfect area on the edge of the six-yard box.

Lockyer attacked it on the run, and put his header into the net.

Marco Gabbiadini (Ex-Sunderland striker on BBC Radio Newcastle) at half time: “There are no surprises in what’s happened in the first half. It’s direct, they have been on the front foot, stopped us playing out from the back, tackled higher up the pitch. It’s sometimes left Sunderland isolated up front and when they have got the ball they have not got enough bodies forward in support.

“There will be chances for Sunderland, I’m sure of that. I wouldn’t say Luton dominated the whole half but they had good spells and there is danger as soon as it goes wide.”

Curtis Davies on Sky Sports Football at half time: “All five goals have been set-pieces and sides can’t seem to defend them.”

Kevin Phillips on Sky Sports Football at half time: “The difference tonight has been the deliveries. Luton’s have been outstanding. Sunderland need to work out how to deal with them.”

The second half continued to play out with such high tensity.

On the 58th minute, O’Nien raged after seeing Adebayo go down under very little contact and appealing for a penalty. Referee Simon Hooper awarded nothing.

Another moment off the line then followed as Roberts, on the post, heads clear to stop the header from Adebayo going in.

Attendance – 10,013

FULL TIME – Luton 2-0 Sunderland (Agg: 3-2)

A year on from enduring heartbreak at Huddersfield, Luton are heading to Wembley.

First Championship playoff finalist confirmed after semi final second leg

Sky Sports’ Dan Long at Kenilworth Road: “Incredible scenes here at Kenilworth Road. Luton were relegated from the EFL in 2009 and now they are just one match from the Premier League.

“These Hatters fans will be partying long into the night tonight!”

Leon Barnett (Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio): “It’s fantastic, your home town team getting to Wembley and being in with a chance of getting to the Premier League.

“It’s a bit teary to be honest, I’ve never seen anything like this before…

“The players can savour the moment tonight, you have to celebrate, but there is still another game. I don’t care who it is, Middlesbrough or Coventry, you have got to back yourself.

“After today’s performance, especially the first half, I think Luton deserve to go up, but there’s one more push, one more big effort, one game to go.

“They have given themselves a platform and building blocks towards playing against the world’s best.”

Luton striker Carlton Morris told Sky Sports:

“That was the intention [to get an early goal], we had to start well, start sharp and do what we’re capable of.

“I’ve learned a lot how much this sort of stuff means to people at the club, it’s a special moment.

“We weren’t at it at all in the first-leg, and that’s the thing it’s two legs and we had an opportunity to show the ‘real’ us tonight.

“No preference as to who we play, every team is a top team, we’ll watch with interest who we get.”

Luton captain Tom Lockyer speaking to Sky Sports: “Commiserations to Sunderland, absolute battle over the two legs. We had to mix it up against them today, be horrible and dirty and that’s how we won the game.”

“To see Luton in the Premier League would be massive. Near on 10 years ago in non-League and to have that journey, it’s almost a bit of a fairytale.

“The fans deserve their day out at Wembley and hopefully we can send them home happy.”

Here’s what fans had to say as Luton v Sunderland sees the first Championship playoff finalist confirmed after the semi final second leg…

@Chris_W1987: Well done Luton đź‘Ź I’ll be supporting you in the final. A true football story if it comes true

@AksPliki: Sunderland fan here in peace, well deserved yous played to your strengths and we couldn’t deal with it as we’ve got a ton of injuries and have been left with no height, today it was men against boys and we couldn’t get near yous. I wish you all the best at Wembley.

@M4rkySp4rky2011: All the Geordies thank you for mackem tears, good luck at Wembley đź‘Ť

@NorsmanLuther: Well just called to say Congrats Luton who came past SAFC in 2018 up to the championship. Not missing Nathan Jones. Rob Edwards talks so well, and how sweet for him? Sacked by Watford, into a play-off final with rivals Luton in the same season. best wishes — a Sunderland fan

@jgrimmer53: Best of luck in the final lads, proper team

@Keiith_C_1971: Fair play Luton , you did a job tonight and worked hard to stop us playing. Good luck in the final, what a story it will be if you go up.

@Hxrtleyy: We are one win from Premier League football…. ONE WIN!! Let that sink in for a moment!!!

@willprinse: Proper football manager stuff this from non league to potentially prem đź‘Ź

@sidecliff26: As a sunderland fan, hats of to your lads, better team on the night, go on and get the promotion, #Luton town are a proper club, great fans, go win it lads but Mark my words sunderland will be be back! But we’ll done to Luton #lutonvssunderland

@KRennicks40: I remember the final day of the 17/18 L2 season when we played out a 0-0 at the Lane. You were already up, we were in the play-offs. Now we’re back hoping for a similar story whilst you’re a win away from the PL. Wishing you all the best! 👏

@Hughesey1985: I feel for Sunderland, but they will be back in the epl at some point in the not too distant future, it would be nice to see Luton or Coventry in the EPL though

@jakesafcftm: Lot of respect for you lot you’re a proper club, had a game plan and played it perfectly and we just couldn’t physically match it. Enjoy your day out at Wembley and I hope yous go up 👍 #COYH

@conradchircop: @WBA fan here. Savour the moment as you deserve to be there on merit. After what you’ve been through in the past decade, this is simply remarkable. 90 mins away from a return to the top flight after 31 years.

@PackerPSmooth: Seeing Kenilworth Road in the Prem would be like seeing the rebirth of Wimbledon’s top flight run, I’m rooting for you lads!

@Jw95Kieran: Congratulations guys, been saying for months you’ll win the play-offs. 90 minutes away from the promised land! Enjoy it, embrace it and go win promotion!! See you next season 🤞

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