Luton Town’s first home game of the 2023/24 Premier League season saw the Hatters go down 2-1 to David Moyes’ West Ham at Kenilworth Road on Friday night. The result saw West Ham go top of the table and after 4 games, represents their best ever start to the season since 1999/00.
The Hammers welcomed Nayef Aguerd back from suspension, with Angelo Ogbonna dropping out to make way for the Moroccan. Tomas Soucek’s injury meant a start for Said Benrahma on the wing, with the talented Lucas Paqueta moving inward to join James Ward-Prowse and new signing Edson Alvarez.
Paqueta set up the opener, with his cross headed in by Jarrod Bowen, although one felt keeper Thomas Kaminski could’ve done better in the Luton goal. Emerson doubled their advantage after the interval, only for the goal to be disallowed due to Michail Antonio being offside.
A late Ward-Prowse corner saw Kurt Zouma nod home to make it 2-0, although Luton set up a tense finish after Mads Andersen pulled one back for them. There was a potential case for handball against Ward-Prowse in stoppage time but after close examination, VAR decided against awarding a penalty, and the Hammers held on to edge the clash 2-1.
