By Bobbie Jackson.
Substitute Cauley Woodrow scored in additional time to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory for Luton at Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko put through his own net late in the opening 45 minutes, unable to get out of the way as Alfie Doughty’s delivery from a corner arrived at the near post, to round off a turgid first half of football in which both sides struggled to create openings.
Everton, who were booed off the field by sections of their fans at half-time, profited from a goalkeeping howler to get back on level terms early in the second half when Tim Krul allowed Jack Harrison’s low driven shot from outside the area to squirm under his body.
Despite getting back in the tie, Everton were unable to shift the momentum in their favour as Luton carved out the better opportunities, with Elijah Adebayo forcing a fine save out of goalkeeper Joao Virginia and Carlton Morris seeing a shot cleared off the line by Nathan Patterson.
With the minutes ticking on and Premier League relegation rivals Everton and Luton both keen to avoid a replay, spaces started to appear with greater regularity but, as was the story of the first half, both sides were wasteful.
That was until the 96th minute, when Woodrow volleyed in from close range after a goalmouth scramble when Everton failed to clear their lines from a corner.
It is just the second time Luton have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup since 2012-13, when they were in the Conference Premier – now known as the National League.
Everton off-target once again
Everton’s struggles in front of goal continue to be a major problem and they now only have Premier League survival to focus on for the rest of the season.
They are the joint-fourth lowest scorers in the top flight this campaign, along with Luton and Manchester United, with only Crystal Palace (22), Burnley (21) and Sheffield United (17) having found the back of the net on fewer occasions.
The Toffees were not short on chances against the Hatters, ending the match with 14 shots, but only two were on target and the goal they did score was straight at goalkeeper Krul and would more often than not have been comfortably saved.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s barren run persists with the striker now without a goal in 15 games across all competitions, while midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who missed out through injury, is their top scorer this season with six.
Exiting the FA Cup might prove to be a blessing in disguise for a club fighting to avoid relegation but the overall performance will not please boss Dyche, who said in his programme notes before the match: “If you can’t find a way to win a game, then don’t lose it.”
Luton leave it late
Goodison Park holds fond memories for Luton fans. It was at the famous Merseyside stadium that the Hatters registered their first-ever Premier League victory when they ran out 2-1 winners in September.
After today’s late strike, that fondness will have only grown deeper and there may be a fair few who travelled north for this fixture who will be sad to see the back of it, as Everton prepare to move across the city to Bramley Dock for the 2025-26 season.
The latest victory was anything but pretty, but that’s a reputation Luton have proudly clung to over the past few years, fighting to the death and working hard to scrap for anything and everything.
Woodrow is far from a regular, with all eight of his league appearances this season coming from the bench, but he was in the right place at the right time to get his side in the hat for the fifth round, smashing in as the ball cannoned around a crowded six-yard box.
Like Everton, Luton are also looking over their shoulder in the battle against the drop from the Premier League, but sometimes these big moments can prove to be a catalyst, sealing momentum and driving a team on to a solid run of form.
That is what Rob Edwards will be hoping is the major outcome from this result as they are now unbeaten in four games across all competitions.
Had it not been for the best efforts of Everton goalkeeper Virginia, who singlehandedly ensured Luton did not get out of sight earlier, then it could have been a more routine outing for the visitors.
Luton’s resolve is set to be tested further over the coming weeks as they return to league action with tricky games at home against Brighton on 30 January and away to Newcastle on 3 February.
FA Cup Results
Ipswich 1-2 Maidstone United
Leeds United 1-1 Plymouth
Leicester City 3-0 Birmingham
Sheffield United 2-5 Brighton
Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United.