Chelsea overcame a resilient Luton side in a nail-biting encounter, securing a 3-2 victory on Saturday, thanks to Cole Palmer’s brace.
The Blues appeared dominant early on, with Palmer setting the tone by opening the scoring at Kenilworth Road. Noni Madueke then extended Chelsea’s lead just before halftime.
Despite Palmer netting his second goal to put Chelsea three up with 20 minutes remaining, Luton orchestrated a dramatic comeback. Former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley ignited the fightback with a goal, followed by Elijah Adebayo’s strike, setting up a tense finale.
The win marked Chelsea’s first away victory since November 6, ending their four-game losing streak on the road, yet it exposed vulnerabilities in their late-game composure.
Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the challenging nature of playing at Luton. He stressed the importance of building trust and confidence within the young team.
However, Pochettino seemed unfazed by defender Thiago Silva’s evident frustration at the result, characterising it as the player’s habitual demeanour.
This victory for Pochettino’s side contrasts sharply with their prior struggles, highlighting their inconsistency despite sitting in the 10th position.
Chelsea started strong at the gritty venue, showing early dominance with Palmer’s predatory instincts securing the opening goal. Madueke’s superb strike further solidified their advantage before the break.
As the second half unfolded, Palmer’s second goal seemingly secured Chelsea’s win, but Luton’s spirited resurgence added tension. Adebayo and Barkley’s late strikes made for a nervy ending, as Luton pushed for an equaliser.
Despite Luton’s intense pressure in the dying minutes, Chelsea held on, claiming a hard-earned but precarious victory.
