Luton Town striker Carlton Morris has acknowledged that his side lost control during their 5-1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
It was an afternoon he described as “frustrating” as the Hatters struggled to respond to Boro’s second-half dominance.
Luton’s Promising Start Unravels at Riverside
Despite the one-sided final score, Luton began the match on strong footing, controlling possession in the opening exchanges. However, as the first half wore on, Boro capitalised on a lapse in Luton’s defence, with Delano Burgzorg finding ample space to open the scoring after a well-executed corner routine. Just before half-time, Emmanuel Latte Lath extended Middlesbrough’s lead with a clever finish, spinning away from Teden Mengi to slot home.
The second half saw Luton attempt a comeback, bringing on Victor Moses to replace Amari’i Bell, but Middlesbrough struck quickly. Finn Azaz punished Luton’s defensive frailties with a powerful strike, followed by a fourth goal after Mark McGuinness missed a tackle, allowing Latte Lath to set up Burgzorg for a tap-in. Morris himself was introduced as part of a double substitution, and although Jordan Clark managed to pull one goal back from Tom Krauß’s assist, Azaz responded with a fifth for Boro, curling in a stunning shot to cap a painful outing for the visitors.
“Not the best, but that’s football, that’s this industry; there are ups and downs,” he said, reflecting on the defeat. “Middlesbrough were at it, to be fair, and we weren’t at our best even though we actually started quite well in the first half an hour. Ultimately, goals change games. They scored at an awkward time in the first half and flipped the momentum, and then it got a bit out of control, so it was a frustrating afternoon.”
Morris expressed frustration at seeing Luton’s confidence visibly drain after Burgzorg’s opener, a goal that seemed to shift the game’s momentum entirely. He noted that Luton’s marking and defensive awareness on the set piece fell short, leaving the Boro striker unmarked and able to pounce.
Writer’s View
Luton’s defeat underscores the importance of seizing early momentum and maintaining composure under pressure. Morris’s comments point to a need for consistency and psychological resilience, particularly when games turn against them. For Rob Edwards’ team, strengthening their defence and capitalising on key moments will be crucial if they are to regain confidence and avoid further setbacks as the season progresses.
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