Birmingham City’s poor form continued with a ninth defeat in 11 league games and the feeling that their bottom-half buffer could be much needed.
Once again, the Blues struggled to create enough clear chances, hitting the bar through Scott Hogan as they chased play, but it’s hard to argue that Luton didn’t get over what was a tight and rudimentary Championship affair.
Rob Edwards’s men, who have as many away wins as Premier League-bound Burnley, clinched victory thanks to Carlton Morris’s 12th goal of the season.
John Eustace made three changes to the team that lost at Norwich, an infusion of battle-hardened Championship champions with Lukas Jutkiewicz, Gary Gardner and Harlee Dean coming into the flank.
Jutkiewicz was probably the Blues’ strongest attacking source in an otherwise dour first half between two physical teams trying to get the ball moving quickly.
The 33-year-old found himself embroiled in a wrestling match with Gabriel Osho and Amari’i Bell and also created the only clear chance of the first half. He tracked a fumble to the bye line and picked out Scott Hogan with a pinpoint cross. Unfortunately, the Republic of Ireland striker headed wide from eight meters when he was well placed.
Luton had a couple of starts, the first coming when Alfie Doughty picked Elijah Adebayo at the back post where the striker jumped over Manny Longelo but headed over.
The other came just before halftime when Cody Drameh had time on the right to find Jordan Clark near the penalty spot. Fortunately for Blues, the midfielder missed his shot.
Eustace’s team were not so lucky two minutes after the restart. They had already spread wide on the right in the opening seconds, forcing Longelo under his own crossbar, when Doughty appeared again on the left.
This time Morris would not deny himself as he moved away from Longelo and headed the ball towards the ground, the rebound carrying it high into the net.
Morris should have made it 2-0 soon after when Pelly Mpanzu appeared on the right touchline and sent a deep cross to which the Luton man beat Colin only to allow the ball to slip off his forehead. That was pretty much the last act for Morris as soon as he was caught with a scythe by Marc Roberts, who was lucky to stay on the field.
Having switched to a 3-1-4-2 with a triple substitution, the Blues came to life and came close to drawing.
First, Tahith Chong picked out Long with a deep free kick, but while the Irishman won the knockdown, the Blues were unable to apply the decisive touch to a goalmouth scramble. Then, two minutes later, Chong struck with his left foot from the right and sent a cross that Hogan headed into the crossbar.
Training
4-1-2-1-2
players
ruddy 6
He had very little to do in the first half apart from claiming a couple of corners. He didn’t have a chance on Morris’s header, but other than that, there were no real shots to save, although he was almost embarrassed by Woodrow’s shot.
collin 5
He did well in the first period, although Doughty looked a threat with a cross or run up the side from Colin. That turned out to be the case in the build-up to the first goal. Not as confident as he can be, looking vulnerable when Morris challenged him in the air or on the ground.
Length 7.5*
Excellent display in the first half when he was available to head or clear everything, a one on one tackle in his own box against Carlton Morris was very quiet. The Irishman was also a threat in the Luton box and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
dean 7
He seemed solid at a two next to Kevin Long. Luton did not have many changes to the Blues central defenders and Dean’s strength was one of the reasons.
Length 4.5
An inconsistent first half in which Luton began to probe his side, the highlight being a major tackle on Morris when he tried to cut in off his left foot. However, he did not approach the striker for the first goal. He really started to struggle as the game progressed.
gardener 6
He did a solid job at the base of the diamond on a day when his physique and power were sorely needed. Sacrificed on a system switch after an OK screen.
Hall 5.5
A mixed bag in the first 45. A well-weighted pass put Longelo behind, but there wasn’t much room for him to thrive. He is not at his best since his return.
chong 7
He seemed to take the beating from Alfie Doughty and created a couple of brilliant moments in the opening period. He was also probably the most likely source of an assist in the second. Bright and energetic if not always the best decisions.
Hannibal 5.5
He wandered around trying to pick up Jutkiewicz’s leftovers, brushing aside an inviting free kick, though he couldn’t make the most of his possession. Subtitled on the hour.
Hogan 5
Finally, after two or three games, an opportunity presented itself, but unfortunately he headed it into the stands. He had another in the second half as well but it hit the crossbar. The blues need their top scorer to be more clinical.
Jutkiewicz 7
Strong and committed, he also settled Hogan in the first half. He never stopped running or getting fouled. Like Long, he didn’t deserve to lose.
substitutes
bacuna (to Gardner, 63) Inconsistent again 5
roberts (for Hall, 64) Lucky not to see red 5
chang (for Hannibal, 64) Brought some control to the medium 5.5
graham (for Longelo, 85) N/A
James (for Dean, 90+3) N/A
Not used: Etheridge, friend
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Opposition
LUTON (3-5-2) :Horvath; Burke (Campbell 57), Osho, Bell; Drameh, Clark, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Doughty; Adebayo, Morris (Woodrow 71). Unused: Shea, Potts, Berry, Onyedinma, Taylor
Goals
Blues :
luton : Morris (47)
Referee : David Web
Attendance: 16,866 (out, 1,838)