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An Elijah Adebayo hat trick fired Luton Town to their biggest win of the season on Tuesday evening, defeating a lacklustre Brighton and Hove Albion side 4-0. Adebayo got the Hatters 0ff to a perfect start, bundling home after just 18 seconds, before Ogbene rounded Steele just two minutes later to send Kenilworth Road beserk. Rob Edwards' side kept the pedal firmly to the floor, and extended their lead again just before the break, Adebayo coolly slotting past Steele after being played in by Barkley. The second half was more of the same. Jordan Clark thought he'd made it 4-0 just after the interval, only to be denied by the flag, before Adebayo completed his hat trick as he headed in from a corner.
It was a special evening under the lights, an exceptional Luton performance capping off an already emotional day. Tom Lockyer was back at Kenilworth Road for the first time since he collapsed at Bournemouth in December, with a lap of honour ahead of kick off, before new signing Daiki Hashioka was unveiled to the crowd at half time. The display shows just how far the Hatters have come since the opening day. Brighton were dispatched, they just could not live with the intensity of the Luton press, or the clinical side they showed in front of goal. If people didn't believe Luton have what it takes to stay up, they certainly do now.
Player Ratings
Thomas Kaminski - 8
It was Kaminski's second clean sheet of the season, and he won't get a simpler evening than that for a very long time. Barely troubled throughout the whole 90 minutes, but when he was called upon he made a sharp stop from Welbeck.
Chiedozie Ogbene - 9
Second goal of the season for the pacey wingback, who has come in and performed very well since Kabore's departure to AFCON. Incredibly solid defensively and always a threat going forward. May now find himself ahead of Kabore in the pecking order, even when the Burkina Faso full back returns.
Reece Burke - 9
Burke stepped in for the injured Teden Mengi, and it was as if nothing had been changed. He's always been Mr Reliable when he has played, and without injuries would surely be in Rob Edwards' best three centre backs. It's as if he never makes a mistake, as well as giving the Town something extra going forwards.
Gabe Osho - 10
Quite simply exceptional. There is no surprise Osho is subject to seemingly constant interest from other Premier League clubs. He was once again sublime in the centre of the back 3. So dominating and commanding in the air, and especially on the ground, not letting anyone past him. A special player.
Amari'i Bell - 9
He took his time to get going this season, but now the errors have been cut out, Bell is simply a Premier League level centre back. In no way is he out of place in the top tier of English football, and once again produced an assured performance.
Alfie Doughty - 9
As with the other four defenders, Doughty was brilliant defensively, up against a notoriously tricky Brighton attack. As usual, provided a real threat going forward, and another one of his dangerous set piece deliveries resulted in a goal.
Albert Sambi Lokonga - 9.5
Lokonga's delicious ball over the top to Ogbene, resulting in the Town's second goal, is a side to his game that we haven't seen too much of so far. Normally Lokonga is associated with hard work, aggression and strong tackling, but clearly the Arsenal loanee has a technical side to his game as well. Dominated the middle of the park with Ross Barkley.
Ross Barkley - 9.5
You can almost just say the same thing every week with this man. Once again he was magnificent. Got himself an assist for Elijah Adebayo, playing a perfectly weighted through ball to the striker who duly converted. It is simply an honour to watch Barkley play for Luton Town.
Jordan Clark - 9
By far Clark's best game since returning from injury, and he seems to be adapting to his slightly new role in the Premier League. Unlucky not to get his first Prem goal as well, as it was ruled out for offside.
Elijah Adebayo - 10
It doesn't get much better than this. In the last few weeks, Eli has been sensational up front, and on Tuesday evening everything he touched turned to goals. To think he was signed for just £250k from Walsall, and now he is scoring Premier League hat tricks.
Carlton Morris - 9.5
It seems like Rob Edwards has found a way to include both Morris and Adebayo in his Premier League side. The two linked up within 20 seconds and Morris was dangerous throughout. Adebayo may have stolen the headlines but Morris cannot be ignored for his contributions.
Tahith Chong and Andros Townsend - 7
The game was won by the time the two wingers entered the fray.
Cauley Woodrow, Luke Berry, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu
Little impact as the Town strolled to victory