Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra hit debut goals as Brighton stroll past Luton
Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra claimed debut goals as Brighton set aside Moises Caicedo’s ongoing transfer saga to thrash Premier League debutants Luton 4-1. Club record signing Pedro doubled Albion’s lead following Solly March’s first-half opener by converting a 71st-minute penalty after being brought down by Hatters captain Tom Lockyer. Carlton Morris slotted home from the spot at the other end following Lewis Dunk’s handball to set up a tense finale but Adingra capitalised on a dreadful error from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu before fellow substitute Evan Ferguson sealed the Seagulls’ emphatic victory. Build up to the contest was dominated by news of Albion accepting a British record transfer fee of around £111million from Liverpool for star midfielder Caicedo amid reports he would prefer to join Chelsea. The 21-year-old Ecuador international was absent from the Amex Stadium as his current club launched their first campaign to feature European football in commanding fashion. Luton, back in the top flight for the first time since being relegated from the old First Division in 1992, were second best on the south coast and could have lost by more as Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Ferguson each struck the woodwork. With Caicedo seemingly heading for the exit, Brighton handed debuts to Mahmoud Dahoud, James Milner and Pedro. Brazilian forward Pedro, whose every touch was booed by the travelling fans following his £30million transfer from Luton’s bitter rivals Watford, should have opened the scoring inside five minutes but he skewed wastefully wide of the gaping goal. The clubs were facing each other for the first time since the southern final of the Football League Trophy in 2009, with their only previous top-flight meetings coming during the 1982-83 campaign. Luton did the double over Albion by an aggregate score of 9-2 back then but remained on the back foot, albeit the hosts appeared susceptible to counter attacks. Albion eventually turned their dominance of the ball into a lead nine minutes before the break. Kaoru Mitoma was afforded time and space on the left and his inviting, inswinging cross gave the unmarked March a simple headed finish from six yards out. Albion’s advantage was almost instantly wiped out as Hatters forward Morris thumped a header too close to home goalkeeper Jason Steele from Ryan Giles’ corner before Welbeck hit the base of the right post at the other end. Despite their limited possession, Luton, who were a non-league club as recently as 2014, were far from overawed in the first half and went into the break with reason for encouragement. Gross fired against the outside of the left upright from a wide free-kick early in the second period as Roberto De Zerbi’s men attempted to add to their slender lead. Brighton were in need of a cushion and it arrived 19 minutes from time when Pedro tumbled under Lockyer’s challenge before, as he had done twice in pre-season, firing into the right corner from 12 yards. Albion looked set to ease to victory on the back of last season’s club-record sixth-placed finish which secured a Europa League place. Yet Morris’ successful 81st-minute penalty after a cross from substitute Jacob Brown struck the elbow of Dunk briefly brought back the tension. However, Ivory Coast winger Adingra, who was loaned to Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise last season, thumped home just four minutes later after Mpanzu inexplicably failed to clear. Striker Ferguson then rattled the right post with a fine curling effort. The Republic of Ireland international would not be denied a place on the scoresheet and duly slid home Pervis Estupinan’s low cross deep into added time. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Everton pay price for missed chances as Fulham snatch win at Goodison Park Rangers get up and running in Premiership with convincing win over Livingston Tom Brady watches on as Birmingham beat Leeds with last-gasp penalty
2023-08-13 00:18
In Wisconsin, old fashioneds come with brandy. Lawmakers want to make it somewhat official
In Wisconsin, the old fashioned cocktail comes with brandy, not bourbon
2023-11-09 22:25
Milroe, No. 8 Alabama roll past FCS team Chattanooga, 66-10 for 9th straight win
Jalen Milroe passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out the second half of No. 8 Alabama’s 66-10 rout of Chattanooga
2023-11-19 04:47
Italy wants more public debt in domestic hands -economy minister
By Giuseppe Fonte ROME (Reuters) -Italy wants domestic investors to hold an increasing amount of the government's debt, Economy Minister
2023-11-01 01:48
Terrifying 'Squid Game' robot doll makes a comeback in new trailer for Netflix's competition series
Netflix released a trailer for "Squid Game: The Challenge" on Monday, giving the first full look at the hotly-anticipated reality competition show based on the streamer's 2021 South Korean hit series "Squid Game."
2023-10-24 04:16
Tennis-Nadal to miss French Open, 2024 likely to be last year of career
(Reuters) -Holder Rafa Nadal will miss the French Open after failing to regain full fitness from a hip injury suffered
2023-05-19 04:49
J.D. Martinez homers, Freddie Freeman sets franchise doubles record as Dodgers beat Nationals
J
2023-09-09 12:21
A massive UPS strike could devastate the economy. It could be just eight weeks away
The Teamsters union is holding a vote right now among more than 330,000 members to authorize a strike against UPS. If UPS workers strike, it would be the largest single-employer strike in US history. And it could take place in less than eight weeks.
2023-06-12 19:28
Donald Trump ally Kari Lake announces Arizona Senate seat bid
Ms Lake, who has yet to concede defeat in last year's election to be governor, announced the bid in Arizona.
2023-10-11 11:57
Canada says it suspects India involved in Sikh leader murder
By David Ljunggren and Steve Scherer OTTAWA Canada said on Monday it had credible information linking Indian government
2023-09-19 06:47
Raphinha FIFA 23: How to Complete the Team of the Season SBC
Raphinha FIFA 23 Team of the Season SBC is now live during LaLiga TOTS. Here's how to complete the SBC and if it's worth it.
2023-05-20 01:29
'Rust' weapons supervisor charged with dumping drugs on day of Alec Baldwin shooting
The weapons supervisor charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of the Alec Baldwin film “Rust” has been charged with passing drugs to someone else on the day of the shooting
2023-06-23 07:54
You Might Like...
Kerry meets Pope Francis privately, says he's in great form and spirits
Antisemitic graffiti in Paris worries French leaders
News Corp beats Street estimates, touts generative AI efforts
Jose Mourinho admits 'deep feelings' for all his club except one
California firefighters battle several wildfires in Riverside County amid extreme heat
Israel's top court to hear petitions against first part of contentious judicial overhaul
Manchester City's UCL final was certainly a game the internet watched
Analysis-Amid Israel turmoil, markets want continuity at central bank helm
