Harry Wilson stars as Fulham win confirms Luton’s relegation from Premier League

Posted Monday, May 20, 2024 by PA

Harry Wilson registered a goal and two assists as Fulham confirmed Luton’s relegation from the Premier League with a 4-2 win at Kenilworth Road.

Adama Traore opened the scoring after 43 minutes, but there was still time for Carlton Morris to equalise from the penalty spot before the interval, and then for Raul Jimenez to restore the visitors’ lead.

Jimenez grabbed a second early in the second half to put his side firmly in the driving seat and, after Alfie Doughty pulled one back, the influential Wilson scored the pick of the goals to round off an impressive individual performance.

Marco Silva fielded a rotated Fulham side which showed a lack of cohesion in the opening period as they struggled to get going.

Luton took advantage of the Cottagers’ sloppiness and a cute chipped pass by Daiki Hashioka found the unmarked Morris, whose effort was fired at Bernd Leno’s chest from inside the six-yard area.

Wilson’s curled strike, which whistled past the left post, was all Fulham had to show for themselves as Luton continued to barrage their goal.

After Jordan Clark’s half-volley narrowly missed the target, centre-back Hashioka continued to show his attacking quality with an attempt which Fulham’s players quickly scrambled to block.

Tahith Chong’s disallowed goal for offside sparked Fulham into life as they created their best chance. The pacey Traore accelerated down the left, finding the head of Jimenez with a floated cross which the Mexico international nodded wide.

The visitors did not have to wait too much longer for the opener, though. Wilson punched a ball in between the lines into Traore, who picked out the corner with a curled shot.

Luton threw men forward from the restart and were awarded a penalty, after a VAR check when Chiedozie Ogbene was brought down by Calvin Bassey in the area. Morris claimed his 10th of the season, sending Leno the wrong way from 12 yards.

But, typical of the back-and-forth affair, Fulham grabbed another to make it 2-1 before half-time. Wilson got behind the Hatters’ back three before his pull-back was finished first-time by Jimenez.

After the break the Cottagers extended their advantage through Jimenez. Harrison Reed delivered an inch-perfect delivery from an indirect free-kick and the potent striker glanced his header past the helpless Thomas Kaminski.

Luton full-back Doughty got one back six minutes later from a driven shot, with Leno wrong-footed.

But Wilson’s stunning performance went up another notch when he got in on the act again, the Wales winger guiding the ball into the top corner from outside to seal victory.