The Premier League creates a whirr of emotions.
It can make you elated; it can make you deflated; it can bring you joy; it can bring you despair.
Rarely though, has the story so far this season been as uplifting as the one provided by Luton Town.
I admit I was one of many who wrote the Hatters off at the start of the campaign; the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds were the same after they were promoted back to the top flight for the first time in 31 years.
I even went so far as to say the three promoted teams from last term – Burnley and Sheffield United were the others – would go straight back down.
Well, Luton’s latest set of Premier League 2024 highlights are persuading me to change their mind.
Before running both Manchester clubs close shortly before Christmas, Luton gained a superb result by holding Liverpool (they nearly won) and almost did the same to Arsenal.
Now, they have gained arguably their most impressive result of the campaign, holding Newcastle on their own turf on Saturday in an eight-goal thriller on Tyneside.
It was the first time they had scored four goals in a top-flight away game since hitting five against Oxford in September 1987.
In addition, they have scored four goals or more in consecutive league games for the first time since October 2017, when they were in League Two.
After winning just one of their opening 12 games, they are unbeaten in five of their past six Premier League fixtures and the impressive Rob Edwards has led his side while playing an entertaining and attacking brand of football.
There is so much to like about Luton in what is their first season in the top flight since 1991-92 (the season before the inaugural Premier League).
As I read in the Guardian a few months ago, their presence on this stage is reassuring on issues such as pyramids, mobility, open access to that elite tier, and the possibility, even now, of beating the bank.
Staying in the league for a few years will be the real test of how easy it is to compete against that hard, non-negotiable financial hierarchy. As of early February, they have given themselves a fighting chance.
As for what else caught my eye at the weekend, well, the fact that Burnley (probably) and Sheffield United (almost certainly) will go down.
The Blades have shown spirit but simply appear to lack the quality and depth required to stay up. The Clarets, meanwhile, surprise me that they are in the position they are after romping to the Championship last term.
They showed some heart and fight on Saturday when they scored twice in the final 20 minutes to claim a point against Fulham.
Marco Silva’s side looked on course for all three points after a dominant first-half showing at Turf Moor, led by goals from João Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz.
Yet on loan, David Datro Fofana changed the game after being introduced as a second-half substitute, cutting the deficit in the 71st minute before netting a stoppage-time equaliser and racing into the stands, where he was mobbed by delighted Burnley supporters.
Not only did the introduction of Fofana help rouse the hosts, but there were also encouraging performances from manager Vincent Kompany’s other January acquisitions to provide Burnley fans with some hope they can launch a survival bid.
Right-back Lorenz Assignon started after arriving on loan from Rennes and put in a lively display, while their other deadline-day signing, central defender Maxime Esteve, provided stability after coming on at halftime.
They have a fighting chance.
Wolves and manager Gary O’Neill deserve immense credit for their 4-2 win at Chelsea on Sunday.
Less than 72 hours after their topsy-turvy encounter with Manchester United, the boys from the Black Country could easily have been running on empty.
Yet that wasn’t the case, as they were inspired by a Matheus Cunha hat-trick for a deserved victory, which moves them up to 10th in the table, one point and one place above Chelsea after 23 games.
The final word of the weekend needs to go to Arsenal.
Perhaps their 3-1 victory over Liverpool can be their moment of ignition, just as their 1-0 defeat at Everton a year ago today was arguably the moment their title tilt last term started to wobble.
Both teams made errors, but there was no denying that the Gunners were deserved victors to fire themselves back into the title race.
After Bulayo Saka’s opener, Arsenal recovered from a Gabriel Magalhães own goal, which gave Liverpool a fortunate equaliser on the stroke of half-time, to pull clear through strikes by Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
You suspect champions Manchester City were pretty delighted too.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
