Rob Edwards praised his Luton side’s approach against Newcastle as they went behind twice in the first-half but enjoyed a purple patch either side of half-time to take a 4-2 lead with a quarter of the game to go after coming to win. Though Eddie Howe’s Magpies fought back to 4-4 thanks to their own quick-fire double, Edwards was still content to leave St James’ Park with a point.
Rob Edwards insisted he was happy to take a point from St James’ Park but added his side played to win against Newcastle, as Luton led 4-2 with 25 minutes left.
Three goals in 22 minutes either side of half-time put Luton two goals ahead against The Magpies, who took the lead twice in the first quarter of the game.
However, Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes – in his first game since September – hit a quick-fire double to set up a nailbiting finish including a hefty 10 minutes of injury time with both sides pressing for a winner as the clock wound down.
Chiedozie Ogbene had a great opportunity to win it in the 98th minute after Ross Barkley picked him out at the far post with a pinpoint cross, but the Republic of Ireland international fired his volley straight at Martin Dubravka and the contest ended with honours even.
“We came here to win, but we’ll take the point the way it went,” Edwards told the BBC. “I wasn’t really envisaging the 4-4 but I was envisaging a game where there was going to be goals and chances because of the way we play, and the way Newcastle play as well.
“So it made for a really entertaining game. I thought our players were brilliant, outstanding, committed to who we are and what we do and overall I think a point was a fair result.”
Edwards added: “Of course when you’re two goals to the good with 25 minutes to play we want to see that out but we’ve got to remember who Newcastle are, they were in the Champions League this year and fighting for that again, they’re really good and at their place as well, it’s a real cauldron.
“And when the supporters really got behind them when they got the third goal I sensed it could be really difficult for us. They got the fourth but I’m really pleased and proud of how we handled that when we got the equaliser because actually then I thought we’d be able to regain control and we ended up having the big chance so I was pleased with how we reacted after they got the equaliser.”
The result means Luton will remain outside the relegation zone for another week after Everton drew with Tottenham, and could have the chance to extend that gap next weekend against Sheffield United, while The Toffees travel to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have won just three Premier League games since the start of December and face further concern as Anthony Gordon was forced off at half-time. Magpies manager Eddie Howe reported he thought the 22-year-old had twisted his ankle but put on a protective boot with Newcastle facing Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth in the next two weeks.
Howe added he was pleased with how his side fought back from 4-2 down, and said the introduction of Barnes and Callum Wilson from the bench helped cushion the blow of losing Gordon.
“I think that is the big positive from today, we haven’t done that enough this season,” Howe said. “I thought we did it really well. I think we became a bit desperate in our desire to score. I think we were good attacking-wise and really fluent in that regard.
“It was a strange game really, so much to look back on and reflect on. We are disappointed to have not grown stronger in the game. Credit to Luton on how they got back into the game and then we had to do that as well.”
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