Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer's double give Chelsea narrow 3-2 win at Luton. Hosts come close to stunning comeback as Ross Barkley and Elijah Adebayo struck late but Blues held on at Kenilworth Road.
Chelsea held off a late Luton fightback to end a run of four away defeats with goals from Noni Madueke and two from Cole Palmer earning a 3-2 win at Luton.
The Blues have endured an annus horribilis, losing more Premier League games (19) than anyone else across the calendar year, but battled to victory at Kenilworth Road despite nearly throwing away a three-goal lead in the closing stages.
That hope turned to real belief when Ross Barkley's near-post header nestled in the far corner with 10 minutes to go, and six minutes later Adebayo nodded home Alfie Doughty's rebound to get Kenilworth Road rocking.
But Chelsea finally showed the resilience they have lacked for much of this season to hold on to victory to pick up a first three points on the road since November 6, and leave Luton stranded in the bottom three.
Player ratings
Luton: Kaminski (6), Bell (6), Mengi (7), Osho (7), Kabore (5), Lokonga (6), Barkley (8), Doughty (7), Townsend (6), Brown (6), Adebayo (7).
Subs: Chong (6), Ogbene (7), Morris (6), Woodrow (n/a).
Chelsea: Petrovic (7), Gusto (6), Disasi (7), Silva (7), Colwill (6), Gallagher (6), Caicedo (6), Madueke (8), Palmer (8), Jackson (7), Broja (5).
Subs: Nkunku (5), Fernandez, Gilchrist (n/a).
Player of the match: Noni Madueke
What's next?
Luton's next game is at home to Bolton on Sunday January 7 in the FA Cup third round; kick-off 2pm.
The Hatters then travel to Burnley in the Premier League on Monday January 15; kick-off 7.45pm.
Chelsea are next in action on Saturday when they host Preston in the FA Cup third round; kick-off 5.30pm.
The Blues then face an away game against Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday January 9, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
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