Townsend on target as Luton upset injury-hit Newcastle

Updated: Dec 23, 2023, 05:17 pm
Andros Townsend holds a Tom Lockyer shirt after scoring against Newcastle.
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Andros Townsend netted his first goal for Luton Town as they beat his former club Newcastle United 1-0 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday to make it three defeats in their last four Premier League games for Eddie Howe's injury-hit side.

Fans from both teams paid tribute to Luton's Tom Lockyer, who had a cardiac arrest in his side's last game against Bournemouth.

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With Newcastle fans unfurling a banner sending good wishes to the Luton defender before kick-off, supporters applauded as the advertising hoardings around the ground displayed the names of all those who helped Lockyer in his recovery.

Newcastle wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 20th minute as Anthony Gordon put in a brilliant cross for Callum Wilson, but the striker headed the ball straight at Thomas Kaminsiki.

Townsend, who played for Newcastle in the 2015-16 season, put his side in front in the 25th minute by heading home Ross Barkley's flick-on from a corner before running to the bench and grabbing one of Lockyer's number four shirts to celebrate.

Barkley almost netted a second eight minutes later, unleashing a powerful shot that hit the underside of the crossbar as Newcastle's defence struggled to contain the home side.

Alexander Isak thought he had equalised for Newcastle in the 61st minute when he slotted home from Miguel Almirón's pass, but he was flagged offside and a VAR review confirmed the original decision to disallow the goal.

Though they remained dangerous on the break, Luton were forced to defend for much of the rest of the game as they hung on for a win that left them in 18th spot on 12 points after 17 games, Newcastle dropped to seventh on 29 points.