Tributes to Tom Lockyer as Andros Townsend strike earns Luton Town upset win over Newcastle United

LONDON – Winger Andros Townsend dedicated his first goal for Luton Town to “our captain” as they beat his former club Newcastle United 1-0 on Dec 23 to make it three defeats in their last four Premier League games for the Magpies.

Fans from both teams paid tribute to Luton’s Tom Lockyer, who

suffered a cardiac arrest

in his side’s last game against Bournemouth.

With Newcastle fans unfurling a banner sending good wishes to

the Luton skipper

before kick-off, supporters applauded as the advertising hoardings around the ground displayed the names of all those who helped him in his recovery.

Newcastle wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 20th minute, as Anthony Gordon put in a brilliant cross for Callum Wilson but the striker headed the ball straight at Thomas Kaminski.

Townsend, who played for Newcastle in the 2015-16 season, put his side in front in the 25th minute by heading home Ross Barkley’s flick-on from a corner before running to the bench and grabbing one of Lockyer’s No. 4 shirts to celebrate.

The 32-year-old told the BBC: “All the chat throughout the week was ‘do it for our captain’.

“He’s an incredible person. He had the issue (a previous cardiac arrest) at Wembley (in the Championship play-off final) and put his body, his life on the line for the first 16 games. So we are doing it for him – and we are going to keep doing it for him until if and when he is fit to come back.”

Barkley almost netted a second eight minutes later, unleashing a powerful shot that hit the underside of the crossbar as Newcastle’s defence struggled to contain the home side.

Alexander Isak thought he had equalised for Newcastle in the 61st minute when he slotted home from Miguel Almiron’s pass, but he was flagged offside and a video assistant referee review confirmed the original decision to disallow the goal.

Though they remained dangerous on the break, Luton were forced to defend for much of the rest of the game as they hung on for a win that left them in 18th spot on 12 points after 17 games, Newcastle dropped to seventh on 29 points.

Luton’s third win and first clean sheet of the campaign was dwarfed by the tributes to the 29-year-old Lockyer and the game’s tension.

“I’m an emotional wreck at the moment. I’ve just said to the lads I’m very, very proud of everybody,” Luton coach Rob Edwards told the BBC.

“It’s been a tough week for the football club, it’s been the greatest challenge of my professional career – it’s funny, no coaching badges or anything prepare you for handling anything like this.

“We wanted to do it for Tom. It wasn’t extra motivation, we just wanted to embody what he’s about. He’s brave, determined, a fighter, and I thought we showed all of those attributes today.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe could not hide his disappointment.

“We were well aware we were below our levels... the second half was much better, but we could not force the goal we needed, and that mistake has cost us the match,” he added. REUTERS