Eager Hatters sink Palace
By Andy Clarke. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Luton Town recorded their second home victory in the space of five days as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Kenilworth Road.
Markus Heikkinen and Rowan Vine did the damage inside the first 20 minutes as Luton secured a league double over The Eagles, following their 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on the opening day of the season.
Vine, who scored twice in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Crewe, almost grabbed the opener in the first few minutes but saw his instinctive effort cleared off the line by Ben Watson.
But The Hatters did not have to wait long for the opening goal, as Dean Morgan crossed from the left and Heikkinen headed in to give them a 10th minute lead.
Palace could have levelled within a minute, when Clinton Morrison cut inside Heikkinen and struck a post and then saw Kevin Foley head Jobi McAnuff's follow-up over for a corner.
Luton remained in the ascendancy and they scored a fine second goal 10 minutes later.
Enoch Showunmi played the ball into Vine on the edge of the area, and he turned Gary Borrowdale before beating Gabor Kiraly with a rising drive.
Chris Coyne's header from Paul Underwood's corner grazed the top of the crossbar nine minutes before half time, and Emmerson Boyce cleared a Peter Holmes effort off the line.
Former Luton defender Boyce came to his side's rescue twice more at the start of the second half, blocking attempts from Morgan and Heikkinen, before Coyne lifted a shot too high from just four yards out.
Marlon Beresford saved well from Michael Hughes as Palace launched a rare attack, but Luton remained dominant and Kiraly did well to deny Steve Robinson a third goal.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Rowan Vine
Markus Heikkinen
