Championship

The Hawthorns

Saturday 14th August 2021 -  15:00
West Brom
- Days
- Hrs
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3
v
2
Luton
Stream on WBA TV
Key Events

Luton preview graphic

Valérien Ismaël will experience his first Hawthorns game as Head Coach when the Baggies face Luton Town on Saturday afternoon (ko 3pm).

The boss received a warm welcome from supporters during his first league game in charge, as Albion secured a point from their Sky Bet Championship season opener against Bournemouth last Friday.

Ismaël's men came from behind twice, with Dara O’Shea cancelling out Emiliano Marcondes' opener, before Philip Billing gave the hosts the lead once more, only for Callum Robinson to net Albion’s leveller and secure a share of the spoils on the south coast.

Matty Phillips came off the bench to great effect against the Cherries, after a flowing passing move he started allowed Robinson to net the second equaliser. And the 30-year-old will be pushing to break into Ismaël’s starting XI for Saturday’s first home clash of the season against the Hatters.

How to follow the match

Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will be on hand to produce another microphone masterclass on WBA Radio this weekend.

Fans will need a My Albion account to access full commentary. Those who haven’t signed up already can do so here.

Supporters can purchase an Audio Match Pass for the first match on home soil here.

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

Similarly, you can get your fix of Baggies-biased commentary for every league game by getting a Matchday Season Pass here.

Fans based overseas can watch a live stream of this Saturday’s game. Seasonal match passes are still available at the Early Bird price of £140 or you can buy a Match Pass for £10 at wba.co.uk/video/packages.

You’ll be able to access the stream through the Live Match Centre or the West Bromwich Albion app.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

WBA TV Matchday

Opposition

Luton began the new Sky Bet Championship campaign in rampant fashion against Peterborough last weekend.

The Hatters cruised to a 3-0 win at Kenilworth Road as each of their front three attackers, made up of Harry Cornick, Elijah Adebayo and Fred Onyedinma, found the net.

But manager Nathan Jones wasn’t able to prevent his side from departing the Carabao Cup during midweek, as they were knocked out of the competition on penalties by League Two outfit Stevenage.

Luton boss Nathan Jones

However, after making 10 changes to the side which comfortably beat the Posh on opening day, Jones will undoubtedly be bringing his strongest starting XI to The Hawthorns this Saturday as they look to dampen Baggies boss Valérien Ismaël’s maiden home match in charge.

Classic matches

The Baggies came out on top after a five-goal thriller against Luton at The Hawthorns back in January 2007.

Jason Koumas’ first-half effort had given Albion the lead, but Luton struck twice to give them the advantage heading into the final two minutes of proceedings.

But prolific talisman Kevin Phillips proved his worth as he netted in the 88th and 90th minute to turn the game on its head, and secure Albion three late points.

Did you know?

Albion have won all of their last four home outings against the Hatters.

Callum Robinson made his first appearance in navy and white stripes during the Baggies’ last home triumph against Town in February 2020, as he forced Luton into conceding an own goal before Semi Ajayi’s header completed a 2-0 win.

Read all about it

Albion News will return for the season’s opening home game, with Darnell Furlong taking centre stage.

Programmes will be available in and around The Hawthorns on Saturday, and they can also be purchased from the Stadium Megastore, which is located outside the East Stand.

Similarly, you can have each edition of the 2021/22 season delivered to your door by purchasing a year’s subscription here. 

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Albion survived a late fightback to beat Luton Town 3-2 at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies were two goals ahead at half-time, an own-goal and Callum Robinson’s header giving them a comfortable lead.

Karlan Grant added a third before Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu converted for the away side to create a nervy finish, but the Baggies held on to secure Head Coach Valérien Ismaël's first three points in charge on his home bow.

Albion reacted to a raucous Hawthorns crowd by flying out of the traps – putting Luton under pressure from the very first second.

And they took the lead inside five minutes when Darnell Furlong’s cross was nodded home thanks to the head of Hatters defender, sparking celebratory scenes not seen in front of a full Smethwick End for 18 months.

The Baggies didn’t let off and nearly netted soon after through a clever corner routine. Alex Mowatt and Grady Diangana set up Karlan Grant inside the area, but he saw his attempt bravely blocked.

The hosts were all over their visitors during an electric first period, with only Simon Sluga in the Luton goal keeping the scoreline down. Town’s shot-stopper had to be at his best to divert Matt Clarke’s header off-target before denying him again, this time stopping a close-range flick.

Albion did manage to extend their advantage ahead of the interval, though. Another dangerous Mowatt corner caused chaos and, despite Sluga saving Clarke’s initial effort, Robinson was there to convert from just a few yards out.

It might have been three before half-time, Furlong unfortunate to hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but instead the Baggies went in 2-0 to the good.

Shortly into the second 45 a collision between Sam Johnstone and Jordan Clark caused a lengthy delay, the Luton man later leaving the pitch on a stretcher and to applause from the whole stadium.

Following the restart Albion managed to find their third – great play between Mowatt and Robinson provided Grant with a chance, and the striker made no mistake in firing a volley past Sluga.

Cornick pulled one back on 70 minutes as the Hatters tried to get back in it – Albion responding by substitute Matt Phillips smashing the woodwork almost instantly.

16 additional minutes caused a few nerves, and those jitters were escalated when Mpanzu scored a second for Luton midway through stoppage time.

Yet the Baggies stood firm and ensured they didn’t concede another, seeing the clash out to earn all three points from an action-packed afternoon.

Albion: Johnstone, O’Shea, Bartley, Clarke (Ajayi 84); Furlong, Livermore, Mowatt, Townsend; Diangana, Robinson (Zohore 71), Grant (Phillips 71).

Substitutes: Button, Kipré, Reach, Tulloch.