Winning a thrilling £170 million match, Luton Town enters the Premier League for the first time

After Burnley and Sheffield United won the championship and runner-up titles respectively and were officially promoted a month ago, in the early morning of May 28, the English First Division officially ended after the play-off match to decide the third ticket to play in the Premier League next season between Coventry City and Luton Town.

Wembley Stadium was packed with spectators watching the First Division play-off match.

More exciting than the race for two official promotion tickets, the English First Division play-off match every year attracts the attention of a large number of fans. Simply because the promotion ticket is a precious gift for most First Division teams whose finances are not yet abundant, and cannot be compared to many Premier League "giants" who always spend a lot of money on the transfer market every year.

Luton Town (dark shirt) continuously had goals denied

After beating Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals, Coventry City and Luton Town went head-to-head at Wembley to find out who would win the £170m ticket. The drama almost started in the 5th minute when Coventry City's net shook after a touch from Gabriel Osho of Luton Town. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed because Osho himself was caught offside.

Gabriel Osho almost opened the scoring for Luton Town in the 6th minute

Luton Town didn't have to wait long, though, to take the lead in the 23rd minute after Jordan Clark's powerful strike. The lead could have been doubled at the end of the first half had Luton Town's Callum Doyle not handled the ball before ricocheting it off Coventry defender Elijah Adebaye and into the net.

Jordan Clark (centre) scores for Luton Town

One goal was not a safe distance for Luton Town because in the 66th minute, Coventry City managed to equalize thanks to Gustavo Hamer. The score of 1-1 remained until the end of the official 90 minutes of play and both sides had to play two extra periods.

Gustavo Hamer equalizes 1-1 for Coventry City

In the 116th minute, Joseph Taylor scored against Coventry City but Luton Town's goal was still disallowed by the referee due to a handball.

Fankaty Dabo covers his face after his penalty kick goes over the bar

Luton Town players celebrate on the pitch

Entering the penalty shootout full of luck, Fankaty Dabo shot the ball over the bar in the 6th round, forcing Coventry City to accept a 5-6 defeat against a resilient Luton Town. Winning a thrilling victory in the play-off match, Luton Town, for the first time in history, won the right to play in the Premier League and this team's account will have a minimum income of 170 million pounds including bonuses and television copyright in the first season playing in the highest level of English football.

English football awards trophy to both play-off winners

Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet with the prestigious trophy

This amount is paid over three seasons rather than in one lump sum. In addition, if they stay up in the first season, the amount can increase to £290m, paid over five years, from 2024 to 2028.

Dong Linh - Photo: Reuters

Source: https://nld.com.vn/the-thao/thang-nghet-tho-tran-cau-170-trieu-bang-luton-town-lan-dau-du-ngoai-hang-anh-20230528070651246.htm