MX23RW : Thursday, November 5 20:47:02| >> :120:9041:9041:

Luton manager Nathan Jones thrilled with "glorious win" over Sheffield Wednesday

Luton manager Nathan Jones thrilled with
© Reuters
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's second-half strike saw off 10-man Sheffield Wednesday.

Luton boss Nathan Jones spoke of the importance of his side's "glorious" 1-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday following back-to-back defeats.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu struck the winner midway through the second half, soon after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men when Joost Van Aken was shown a straight red card.

Jones was thrilled to get the three points following 2-0 losses to Stoke and Millwall, and felt they could have won the game even more convincingly.

He said: "We're delighted and it's a really important win for us after the defeats.

"Once we settled into the game, I thought we were brilliant. It's a glorious win for us.

"I'm delighted with the overall performance and especially the win.

"We missed some glorious chances. We should have been more clinical and we needed to take those chances first half.

"We started better in the second half and got into the flow. I thought we were well worth the win.

"We never felt Wednesday had that time in the game where they were better. That's not being arrogant after the fact, it's how we felt about it.

"Once he (Mpanzu) settled down, he did really well."

The win leaves Luton in ninth spot in the Championship on 12 points, two behind second-placed Bristol City.

Jones, whose side finished 19th last season, added: "What we want to be is nowhere near where we were last year.

"Last time out we deserved to get beat. What can we achieve? We'll see. We'll tick off the games and see where we are."

Luton had a great chance to score inside the opening 20 seconds when Danny Hylton rounded keeper Cameron Dawson and fired in a shot which Aden Flint did well to block on the line.

Wednesday's first effort came from Van Aken, who headed over after meeting Barry Bannan's cross.

Tom Lockyer shot narrowly wide before Mpanzu missed a golden opportunity when he fired wide after being put through by a great ball from Elliot Lee.

Bannan fired in a shot from around 20 yards which was deflected wide.

The home side lost Van Aken in the 71st minute when the defender was shown a red card following a high challenge on Mpanzu.

Mpanzu then struck the winner three minutes later, firing a low shot past Dawson from inside the area.

Luton went close to scoring a second in stoppage time when substitute Ryan Tunnicliffe struck the post.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk said: "It was an even-ish game. There wasn't anything in the game overall.

"We started to get a little bit more on top in the second half, but the red card was a big blow.

"We got into good positions in the final third, but we need to improve our decision making.

"The red card killed us in the second half. It was a soft red card. I haven't watched it back, but I don't think there was any malice in it.

"Losing two games in a row is disappointing and frustrating but we have to keep a level head. It's a difficult situation for everyone.

"We have to stick together and keep fighting. We need to get points and win games. We need that belief and confidence to come back here.

"We have to pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game."

ID:419670:cQx

Click here for more stories about Nathan Jones

Click here for more stories about Luton Town

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Boro boss Neil Warnock on September 11, 2020
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Cardiff City vs. Middlesbrough
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Reading10712179822
2Swansea CitySwansea10541136719
3Norwich CityNorwich10532128418
4Middlesbrough945094517
5Bournemouth10451128417
6Bristol City105231411317
7Millwall10442108216
8Luton TownLuton10514810-216
9Brentford104331712515
10Watford9432107315
11Stoke CityStoke104331212015
12Preston North EndPreston104151412213
13Cardiff CityCardiff103431210213
14Birmingham CityBirmingham1034388013
15Huddersfield TownHuddersfield104151112-113
16Queens Park RangersQPR103431012-213
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn103251813511
18Barnsley102441013-310
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham10235811-39
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10235712-59
21Coventry CityCoventry102261020-108
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe10217617-117
23Derby CountyDerby10136514-96
24Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds10325610-45

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!