TWO players of Nigerian descent, Elijah Adebayo and Gabriel Osho, played important roles at both ends of the pitch tonight to help Luton Town to a 1-1 home draw in their English Premier League clash against Everton.
Both players were out for long injury spells this season but striker Adebayo was sharp and alert as he scored Luton Town’s only goal, while Super Eagles invitee Osho was a rock in central defence.
Luton Town needed the points against an Everton side whose stay in the top flight has been secured, but the Hatters missed the chance to move out of the relegation places with the draw at Kenilworth Road.
Everton went in front from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin converting after Luton defender Teden Mengi was penalised for bringing down Jarrad Branthwaite following an intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Adebayo then showed exactly what Luton have been missing as the England-born Nigerian striker marked his first start since early February with the equaliser seven minutes later.
The 26-year-old shook off the attentions of Ashley Young before shooting low past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from inside the box.
Despite missing 11 straight games between February and April due to a hamstring injury, Adebayo is Luton’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 10 goals from 25 appearances.
Both sides had opportunities to score the winner after the break, with Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski saving well from Jack Harrison’s deflected shot and Calvert-Lewin’s header but the score stayed at 1-1.
The result leaves Luton Town in the 18th spot, level on points with 17th-place Nottingham Forest who have a game in hand.
