Luton became only the third team in Premier League history to surrender a three-goal half-time lead after Bournemouth sensationally fought back to inflict huge damage on Rob Edwards’ hopes of survival.
Only Tottenham in 2001 and Leicester in 2003 have suffered the same ignominy and Luton now face a crucial showdown with Nottingham Forest at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, a match certain to have a significant bearing on the fate of both clubs.
“Huge game on Saturday,” conceded Luton manager Edwards. “Losing is difficult anyway but in that manner it does hurt, but if we can’t pick ourselves up for a huge Premier League game then there’s something wrong.
“I feel we didn’t defend in duels well enough. There were some individual mistakes. We gave them encouragement with the early goal and we weren’t quite able to cope with that barrage, that forward running power they’ve got.”
As good as they were in the first half, Luton capitulated in the second. Once Dominic Solanke had brilliantly improvised his way to Bournemouth’s first goal, the belief seeped out of Edwards’ players and the Cherries seemed to score with every attack.
