Luton Town will meet either Middlesbrough or Coventry in the Championship play-off final as Rob Edwards’ side aim to reach the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
The Hatters punched their ticket to Wembley after beating Sunderland 2-0 in the semi-final on Tuesday (3-2 on aggregate).
In many ways it was a true underdog story as Luton hosted a Sunderland squad that were aiming to achieve consecutive promotion at Kenilworth Road, a 10,000 capacity stadium deemed too small and cramped for the top flight.
Indeed, many of those fans present may never have experienced Premier League football firsthand as Luton were relegated from the old First Division in 1992, a few months before the restructure of the Football League.
Now, however, destiny may well be within their grasp. Of course, Boro or Coventry will likely have something to say about that, but Luton will fancy their chances nevertheless.
Both centre-backs Gabriel Osho and Tom Lockyer scored before the break as the Hatters overturned their 2-1 deficit following Saturday’s game at the Stadium of Light.
Osho opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half as he poked home a corner after a mad scramble in front of the goal.
The second also came from a corner – which was cleared only as far as the edge of the area – before being whipped in to meet the run of a charging Lockyer who expertly headed the ball into the back of the net.
How to watch the Championship play-off final
Date: Saturday 27 May
Kick-off: 4.45pm (UK time)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
Live stream: NOW TV
“We’re one game away from the Premier League. It sounds special, it sounds surreal saying it,” Luton manager Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio.
“We are, it’s a fact. And I’m really, really happy.
“The fans were great, and we needed them. They got the atmosphere going before kick-off. When the staff came in after the warm-up they said the atmosphere was really, really good.
“We were just glad we were able to repay them with a good performance.
“If we didn’t believe after being 2-1 down and being right in the game, then what’s the point?
“We believed from day one that we could achieve something. We’ve got one more game to go to try to do it, I’m not getting carried away.
“I’m really proud and want everyone to enjoy the moment of winning a semi-final.
“We’re going to go to Wembley for a day out and it’ll be really special.”
With that being said, no side can be underestimated as the play-offs have already experienced a variety of twists and turns this season.
Middlesbrough have looked like a completely different animal under Michael Carrick who has exceeded expectations thus far in his first role as manager despite his lack of experience.
As for Coventry, they also appear to be moving in the right direction at long last after a change in ownership.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/oDautMg
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