SUMMARY
- In the 32nd match of the 2023/2024 Premier League season, Manchester City faced Luton Town.
- Manchester City is aiming to achieve a remarkable achievement by securing back-to-back wins. Meanwhile, Luton Town faces a challenging battle to remain in the English top flight
Manchester City faced Luton Town for its 32nd match of the Premier League 23/24 season. The match was expected to be a no-contest as both the team’s seasons have fared differently.
While Manchester City is aiming to become the only team in soccer history to win back-to-back trebles, Luton Town is struggling to stay in the English top flight for the next season. Coming into the match, Man City was in third place with 70 points while Luton’s position stood at 18th place with 25 points.
Matchday 33 tomorrow 👊 pic.twitter.com/Gq8TvfLmrV
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) April 12, 2024
Expectedly, Manchester City emerged victorious 5-1 in the game held at the Etihad Stadium. However, the scoreline doesn’t do justice to Luton Town’s efforts as ‘The Cityzens’ had to work hard for the result.
Mateo Kovacic’s wonderful goal highlighted a late flurry of goals from Manchester City
The home team took the lead via an own goal in the 3rd minute itself through a Daiki Hashioka own goal. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland was through on goal at the beginning of the game, before his shot was saved by the Luton Town keeper. The visiting team then miraculously blocked a number of attempts from the City team.
However, an Erling Haaland overhead kick was deflected off the body of Daiki Hashioka, to give Man City the early lead. The own goal was the only thing that separated the two teams at halftime.
Daiki Hashioka own goal! Great effort by Haalandhttps://t.co/WRlDUjmxd1
— FootColic ⚽️ (@FootColic) April 13, 2024
Luton Town then demonstrated an example of great defensive solidarity as Manchester City failed to convert any of its chances. The home team looked increasingly frustrated as the game went by, as a Luton Town equalizer could have ruined the party for ‘The Cityzens’
However, the City’s 2023 summer signing Mateo Kovacic turned savior as he scored a thumping volley to put his team 2-0 ahead. The Croatian secured an ice-cold finish from a corner kick that deserves to be in contention for the Premier League goal of the season.
KOVACIC ARE YOU F*CKING MADDD WHAT A GOAL pic.twitter.com/dCDXW0wudg
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) April 13, 2024
Erling Haaland then stepped up to convert a penalty kick to score his 20th Premier League goal of the 23/24 season. This must be refreshing for the Norwegian striker, considering his abysmal performance against Real Madrid just a few days prior. Erling has also been subjected to some unnecessary criticism over the past few days.
With the goal against Luton, the Norwegian has now scored against every PL opposition in the league. Man City then almost had a scare as former Chelsea player Ross Barkley’s goal made the scoreline 3-1. The Englishman pounced on the indecisiveness of the Man City defense to score the only goal for his team on the day.
Jeremy Doku vs Luton:
1 Goal
1 Assist
87 Touches
53 Accurate Passes
96% Pass Accuracy
8 Ground Duels Won
6 Successful Dribbles
3 Key Passes
1 Tackle
1 Accurate Cross
1 Shot On Target pic.twitter.com/PIs9QMXQJX— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) April 13, 2024
Manchester City then decided to up the tempo, as they added 2 more goals in the span of 6 minutes. Jeremy Doku started the party with a wonderful solo goal. The Belgian winger dribbled past two opponents to slot home a composed finish through a Luton Town defender’s legs.
City’s final goal of the day was scored by its Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. The 22-year-old scored through a similar curve shot as he did against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League a few days prior. The new City signing has completely redeemed himself towards the end of the season after being termed a flop signing at the beginning.
Manchester City’s win puts it in pole position to win the Premier League title
At the end of the match, Manchester City got hold of the full three points even though ‘The Cityzens’ did not find it easy against the Luton Town defense at the beginning. With the win, Manchester City move to the top of the table with 73 points. However, ‘The Cityzens’ have played one more game than Arsenal and Liverpool, who are part of an exciting three-horse race for the PL title.
FULL-TIME | A big home win! 💪
🩵 5-1 👒 #ManCity | @okx | @citcmancity pic.twitter.com/ZUsy9eZnkZ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 13, 2024
Manchester City will also be grateful for the result, especially during the runup to the 2nd leg of the quarter-finals of the UCL against Real Madrid. After the 3-3 draw at Santiago Bernabeu, the 2nd leg of the becomes ever so more important. The win comes in a game where City’s important midfielder Rodri didn’t feature.
As for Luton Town, the result against Manchester City further dampens its survival hopes. The team is already in the drop zone, and although it is just one point off safety, Luton Town has a terrible difference of -24. The team has had a nightmare of a debut season in the Premier League and is on the course of getting relegated to the EFL Championship.