West Ham fans mock all-but-relegated Luton while Burnley join Sheffield United in going down from the Premier League.
We knew that Sheffield United’s immediate return to the Championship had been confirmed a fortnight ago, but who would be joining the Blades in being relegated?
Only once before since the inaugural season in 1992 have all three promoted teams gone straight back down again. During the 1997/98 campaign, newcomers Barnsley, Bolton and Crystal Palace were all relegated.
Could be about to see it happen for a second time in the Premier League’s 32nd season? It seems we are with Burnley joining Sheffield United in going down, while Luton need a miracle to stay up.
Coming into this weekend, we knew that Burnley would be relegated if they fail to win or Nottingham Forest win their evening kick off against Chelsea.
Luton would be relegated if Forest better their result, but are also down if they lose and Burnley win, due to Burnley facing Forest on final day.
How did it play out?
The way Rob Edwards has handled himself throughout his time as Luton boss has made me really warm to him.
He seems like such a genuine bloke. The reaction to Tom Lockyer’s issues, the idea to make their squad aware of John Still and now this. Superb.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 12, 2024
The Hatters took the lead in David Moyes’ last home game in charge before he departs. An Alfie Doughty sent in a cross and Albert Sambi Lokonga timed his run into the area to perfection to fire in a header on the 6th minute.
Just before the half hour mark at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Burnley’s Jacob Bruun Larsen was played in behind the Spurs defence, kept his cool as Oliver Skipp went in with a challenge and put the ball into the back of the net.
On 32 minutes, Tottenham levelled. Burnley’s defence caught out with Dara O’Shea unable to get across and put in a challenge on Pedro Porro, who ran into the area and made no mistake at the near post.
With 25 minutes remaining at London Stadium, West Ham forced four corners in a row, couldn’t get the last one away, the ball went to Tomas Soucek on the edge of the area and he he volleyed it home. 2-1 West Ham.
On 76 minutes, West Ham sub George Earthy scored his first goal for the Hammers and possibly with be his first touch. Mohammed Kudus made his way past three men, cut the ball back and gave the 19-year-old a tap-in.
The majority of West Ham fans applauded Luton players off the pitch, but there had been some taunting from home fans, those nearest the away end…
West Ham equaliser thanks to James Ward Prowse pic.twitter.com/cf9kncj9Lr
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) May 11, 2024
Tomas Soucek puts the Hammers ahead pic.twitter.com/vRO3UxXB6s
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) May 11, 2024
George Earthy makes a 3-1 minutes after he comes on pic.twitter.com/SBGbdCsiyP
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) May 11, 2024
West Ham fans applauding Luton players off the pitch ⚒️👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ZS4w2Yz6UP
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) May 11, 2024
Superb communion between Luton Town fans and their players and Rob Edwards. The Hatters are (still almost, technically) relegated from the Premier League. Fans have been clapping and celebrating their players for 15min now. Rob Edwards in tears. #WHULUT pic.twitter.com/HFkf9R3xLJ
— Quentin Gesp (@quentin_gesp) May 11, 2024
Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “The away end is still full as the players and Vincent Kompany go over to show their appreciation.
“There’s nothing but chanting and clapping from the Burnley fans. A bruising day, a bruising season but if any club knows how to come back from a setback, it’s them.”
Fara Williams (Former England midfielder on Final Score): “Rob Edwards is an emotional man, but he’s done a fantastic job at Luton. He’s a proud man, you can see that and this hurts him.
“He believed to the very end, but today is probably a realisation that they are likely going to be down, but the job he’s done has been phenomenal. He should take a lot of credit from it.”
Paul Robinson (Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live): “Luton have scored in many games and have been in many games.
“You can see the pride from the players today. Luton took the lead and were the better team, they made the game scrappy and got to half-time with a clean sheet.
“But, as soon as West Ham got one goal they grew and become a better team.”
LUTON ALL BUT RELEGATED by 3-1 loss at West Ham. ⬇️
Rob Edwards’ Hatters come up short in survival bid, but made precious memories for fans & neutrals on the way. A refreshing addition to the Premier League, this club has recovered from far worse. Godspeed for the comeback. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/dZkJqtbIU8
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 11, 2024
BURNLEY RELEGATED. Despite a season’s worth of ambitious, attacking football—as well as strong leadership at the top from Vincent Kompany & JJ Watt—Clarets can only manage one-season PL stay after 2-1 loss at Spurs Saturday. Here’s to a swift return for the Lancashire side. 💜💜 pic.twitter.com/s8jvPDxoPY
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 11, 2024
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, speaking to BBC Sport after his side were relegated back to the Championship: “I’m very lucky to be surrounded by good people, hardworking players, staff and fans who have backed the club for generations. That’s who we try to do it for every weekend.
“Today the Premier League is over but tomorrow we start day one of doing everything we can to get back to the Premier League.
“The game has gone a bit like others have gone for us this season. We created chances but the one where we missed the final pass.
“I’m not here sulking and feeling sorry for us but if you take every game, every season as a learning experience, this is step we need to get into our game.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards: “I’m an emotional person and walking over to our supporters and seeing their reaction brought me to tears. The love and affection they have given us, which goes both ways and is unique in football these days. I feel devastated, I didn’t want to let anyone down and I feel responsible. I thanked the players and staff, they’ve given me the best 18 months of my life.
“We brought a certain spirit, the underdog factor and we changed opinions of ourselves as we went. What makes me proud is how much we have improved in the hardest league in the world.
“We have some what ifs but I’m not making excuses. Every team who goes down will have them. We have fallen short but we have to learn and keep improving.
“I am learning all the time and there is more I don’t know than I do know. I’ve loved going up against the best and it makes me hungry to be here again. The fire is burning.”
Luton striker Carlton Morris: “It’s emotional. I watched the video last night that Wolves put out about mental health and it made me see how much football means to fans.
“So going over at the end and standing there for 10 minutes, with them clapping and screaming for us, it touches a nerve. These guys work all week to come and watch us kick a football about. I can be proud of myself and my teammates and know the club is moving in the right direction.
“We would never give up and down tools. We have been fighting against the odds, there is a clear budget difference and some quality in the divison. I’ve loved it. We have been competitive and the fans know that. We’ve scored a lot of goals, been in some thrillers.
“I have learned so much this season, I’m evolving and our team is evolving. What happened to Tom Lockyer it shows how lucky we are to be in the situation we are in. I’m proud to lead this team out.”
West Ham manager David Moyes: “When you are in Luton’s situation once you concede a goal it feels hard to hang on. That first goal took the stuffing out of them.
“George Earthy has been special for a long time. When you’re that size, lightweight, you need to be given time to develop but he’s a terrifiic football player. He has trained really well and he’s been close to the team. Today he gets a goal and it’s great for him.
“I go away from here with great memories, the club is a brilliant club and has so much room for improvement. It can step up again and I hope that they do. The crowds here are huge, we had a great crowd today. I have lots of great memories here. We have beaten a lot of the bigger sides at home and the biggest thing is that West Ham are back on the map.”
Twitter users gave their reaction after West Ham fans mock all-but-relegated Luton while Burnley join Sheffield United in going down…
@David_ltfc: Heard lots of talk about ‘fight’ from players. But it’s clear that the fight ran out at Bournemouth. #LTFC
@HattersDave: Everyone said we’d be the first to be relegated, or that we’d be down around Xmas time. We took it to the penultimate match, but ultimately just didn’t have enough to survive. Will forever be proud of being there, even if only for one season #COYH
@MaxPollard92: Let be honest, it’s not the hope that kills you, it’s the constant avoidable mistakes and the lack of concentration that kills you. #LTFC
@uptheluton: Gutted BUT it’s been a great season regardless and we go down stronger/richer. It ain’t all that bad, we’ll be back soon, I’m sure of it! #ltfc
@swinnybottom: When #LTFC lost 4-3 to Bournemouth after winning 3-0 at half time I said they will go down with a whimper now as confidence will be shot. 5 points from 9 games when in a relegation battle proved me right
@talkabouttom: At least we’ll be able to enjoy our last game of the Season Vs Fulham knowing nothings in play. #ltfc
@ABeardedGazelle: We are the worst team in history when in the lead #LTFC #WHULUT
@OwenLTFC: Now we have to deal with the fanbase who tweet about us every single day, but insist they’re not obsessed!
@YouBearsssssss: Burnley and Luton relegated then 😑 so the 3 promoted Teams ALL straight back Down…. how Boring 🥱 #SUFC #twitterclarets #LTFC
@___GJS___: We took it to the penultimate game, that’s something right?! #LTFC
@JasonPJones09: Being in the PL is like that holiday destination you always thought you wanted to go to – Dubai, Vegas etc. Once you’ve been you leave with an underwhelming feeling that it’s sanitised and commercial. Done it but won’t miss not going back there. #ltfc #lutontownfc
@reece_w99: Personally delighted Luton are getting relegated. Shit club with shit fans and that Nathan Thompson tackle was never a free kick. Hold that #LTFC
@Hatter_JH: Nobody can ever doubt that The Championship is our level. It wasn’t so long ago that supporters were hoping for consolidation in The Championship. You can’t be on anyway disheartened in relegation. We’ll be back, and my god we’ll be back with a bang! #COYH
@Daveachino: Personally I think we held onto that Brighton 4-0 setup too religiously. It was entertaining but ultimately we came out on the wrong side far more than our endeavour deserved. All good though. We go again 🤜 #COYH
@LutonTownFan166: great premier league run, but all good things must come to an end. #COYH 👒🧡
@chrismitch99: Proud as punch. What a team. What a club. What a journey. We will be back #COYH
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