Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield was in a jubilant mood following his side’s important 1-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Derby County this afternoon.
The Hatters started the day three points behind the East Midlands-based side, although with a vastly inferior goal difference. Having failed to win in their last three outings, a defeat for Luton would have all-but-confirmed their place in League One next season.
It took just 10 minutes for the visitors to silence a packed Pride Park when January signing Millenic Alli scored his second in three games. It was a goal which shook John Eustace’s side, who struggled to get a foothold in the game for the remainder of the half.
The second half was dominated by Derby, who looked to restore parity. The visitors had to contend with a wave of attacks but stood firm to secure an important three points.
Bloomfield Full Of Pride
Following the game, Bloomfield was ecstatic with his team’s performance, especially the defensive duties that were needed in the second half to keep the clean sheet. Speaking to the media, the former Wycombe Wanderers boss said:
“Our results have been very good away from home. We knew this was going to be a tough game here but we knew we could win.
“In the first half, I thought we were excellent and played so well. In the second, we had to weather the storm a bit but we did that to a man. I thought we defended incredibly when we needed it.
“We didn’t actually ask for anything other than a performance today. If you put in match-winning performances then the victories are surely going to follow.
“But nothing is done yet. We are in there fighting and we have given ourselves a chance.
“I keep getting asked when the picture at the bottom will get sorted and I don’t know. It could go right down to the wire and I think it probably will.”
Writer’s View
This felt like a do-or-die game for Luton. A defeat would have left them five points adrift of safety with three games to play and on the verge of a second successive relegation. Make no mistake about it, this is an absolutely huge three points and a victory that gives them a very real possibility of surviving. However, they have three tough games to finish the campaign against a trio of teams all hoping to achieve a play-off place. It’s going to be a nervy couple of weeks at Kenilworth Road.
