Two goals for Raheem Sterling and one for Nicolas Jackson secured all three points for Chelsea on a night which they dominated from start to finish.
The class of Mauricio Pochettino’s men was no better displayed than by Raheem Sterling’s opener after the winger cut in from the right, danced by two defenders and slotted the ball into the back of the net with his weaker foot.
It was also Sterling who ended any worries for the Chelsea supporters when, during an attacking spell from Luton, he drifted into the box and met Malo Gusto’s pass to turn home a second.
The final goal was eerily similar but Sterling had to settle for the assist this time as his low pass found Nicolas Jackson into the middle of the penalty area and he poked home a deserved goal to get his Premier League tally up and running.
The Blues take the points and a big step forward in their development under Pochettino.
Relive the action as Chelsea defeat Luton in the Premier League:
Chelsea vs Luton
Chelsea defeat Luton 3-0 in the Premier League to secure a first win for Mauricio Pochettino
Raheem Sterling proves why he is Mauricio Pochettino’s most valuable player
75’ GOAL! – Jackson pokes home Sterling’s pass (CHE 3-0 LUT)
69’ GOAL! – Sterling adds a second as Chelsea double their lead (CHE 2-0 LUT)
60’ CHANCE! – Giles smokes a shot at Sanchez who keeps it out (CHE 1-0 LUT)
54’ POST! – Fernandez rattles the post after meeting Sterling’s pass (CHE 1-0 LUT)
17’ GOAL! – Sterling opens the scoring with a wonderful individual goal (CHE 1-0 LUT)
7’ SAVE! – Kaminski clings on to Sterling’s rocket (CHE 0-0 LUT)
Chelsea FC 3 – 0 Luton Town FC
Raheem Sterling proves why he is Mauricio Pochettino’s most valuable player
22:16 , Mike Jones
In offering the finishes, Raheem Sterling now looks like he is starting again. This might well be a great career rebirth, as the England forward’s goals finally launched the Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea.
The Argentine got his first win at his new club – and a first home win at all for the club since Borussia Dortmund in March – with an otherwise resolute Luton Town beaten 3-0.
While the latter was hugely encouraging for Pochettino, this was ultimately all about Sterling. Fittingly for such a fine individual performance, the key goal – and that which essentially set and settled the game – was a sensational solo run. It was like the Sterling of his early years, so much verve and vibrancy, almost impossible to pin down or shackle. The England forward – for that is what he will soon be again if this form continues – just weaved through the Luton defence to slide the ball into the corner.
It was like a huge weight had lifted for Stamford Bridge as a whole. The place was flying by the end, just like Sterling.
Raheem Sterling proves why he is Mauricio Pochettino’s most valuable player
Full-time! Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:52 , Mike Jones
90+4 mins: Two goals for Raheem Sterling and one for Nicolas Jackson secured all three points for Chelsea on a night which they dominated from start to finish.
The class of Mauricio Pochettino’s men was no better displayed than by Raheem Sterling’s opener after the winger cut in from the right, danced by two defenders and slotted the ball into the back of the net with his weaker foot.
It was also Sterling who ended any worries for the Chelsea supporters when, during an attacking spell from Luton, he drifted into the box and met Malo Gusto’s pass to turn home a second.
The final goal was eerily similar but Sterling had to settle for the assist this time as his low pass found Nicolas Jackson into the middle of the penalty area and he poked home a deserved goal to get his Premier League tally up and running.
The Blues take the points and a big step forward in their development under Pochettino.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:48 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at the end of the match. Chelsea in total control now and Mauricio Pochettino will be over the moon with what he’s seen tonight.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:45 , Mike Jones
87 mins: Ben Chilwell’s cutback finds Conor Gallagher just inside the penalty area. The midfielder’s side-footed effort is saved by Thomas Kaminski leaping across to his left and smothering the ball.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:43 , Mike Jones
84 mins: Raheem Sterling moves into the middle now that Jackson is no longer on the pitch. Luton have been far from their best tonight and they’ve been punished by a Chelsea side finding their feet under Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:41 , Mike Jones
81 mins: Nicolas Jackson is awarded a huge round of applause from the Stamford Bridge crowd as he is replaced by Lesley Ugochukwu for the final 10 minutes or so.
Jackson’s first three performances for Chelsea have been great and his reward has been a goal tonight.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
21:40 , Mike Jones
78 mins: Luton substitute Jacob Brown arrives very late on Axel Disasi and is lucky to just earn himself a yellow card. That was a heavy tackle and could have turned out worse for the forward.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Luton (Jackson, 75’)⚽️
21:34 , Mike Jones
75 mins: Nicolas Jackson has his goal!
A long ball comes over the top and gets chased down but Raheem Sterling on the right side of the pitch. He flicks a low pass across the penalty area where Jackson pops up and pokes the ball into the back of the net!
Chelsea have this game won now.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Luton (Sterling, 69’)⚽️
21:28 , Mike Jones
69 mins: Raheem Sterling has another!
He starts the ball on the right side before sending the ball into Conor Gallagher. Gallagher lays it off to Moises Caicedo who sends it out wide as Sterling carries his run off the ball into the box.
Malo Gusto collects the ball and threads it back to Sterling who is wide open and left with a simple tap in to double Chelsea’s lead!
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:25 , Mike Jones
66 mins: The ball is lifted up the pitch and gets won by Nicolas Jackson who’s up agianst Tom Lockyer. Jackson brings the ball under control and turns it around the corner for Sterling who breaks into the box.
Sterling, from a tight angle, looks to guide the ball into the far bottom corner but doesn’t hit the shot correctly and scuffs his effort wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:22 , Mike Jones
63 mins: The Luton fans have been encouraged by that passage of play and they’ll feel that their time are still in the game as long as it remains 1-0.
Chelsea take the ball down the right side and quickly pass it across the middle of the pitch before setting Ben Chilwell up for a shot from the edge of the box.
He does shoot but Reece Burke lunges in front of the ball and keeps it out with a fine block.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:20 , Mike Jones
60 mins: Chance! Luton sweep the ball up the pitch and get it to Elijah Adebayo. He squares it across the box where Ryan Giles takes a first time shot and smokes one at goal.
Robert Sanchez doesn’t know a great deal about the ball but manages to slap it into the air and cling onto the catch to deny Luton an equaliser.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:18 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Penalty shout!
Nicolas Jackson goes down in the box under pressure from Tom Lockyer and the referee turns down Chelsea’s shouts for a spot kick.
There was a bit of contact but not enough to cause Jackson to hit the deck.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:14 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Post! Nicolas Jackson receives the ball and spins towards goal. He slips it across to Raheem Sterling who guides a pass over to the back post where Enzo Fernandez arrives and belts a first time shot at goal.
He strikes it well and pings the ball into the nearest post where it rebounds out for a goal kick.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:13 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Close! Ben Chilwell should double Chelsea’s lead. He makes a run into the box and is slipped the ball from the left wing. Space opens up in front of him but instead of shooting Chilwell looks for the pass and gives the ball away!
Second half! Chelsea 1-0 Luton
21:06 , Mike Jones
Luton get the match back underway at Stamford Bridge and there are no changes to either team.
HT Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:57 , Mike Jones
(Action Images via Reuters)
(PA)
Half-time! Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:48 , Mike Jones
45+2 mins: Raheem Sterling’s wonderful dart in from the right wing and calm left-footed finish caps off a dominant and controlling first half for Chelsea who seem well on course to record their first win of the season.
Luton have work to do but with only a one-goal deficit the Hatters are still in the game.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:46 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:43 , Mike Jones
40 mins: Luton win a corner as the first half comes flying towards its conclusion. The ball is whipped in towards the near post where it seems Ben Chilwell gets the final touch on the ball before it deflects over the crossbar.
Luton want another corner but the referee award Chelsea a goalkick.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:39 , Mike Jones
35 mins: Marvelous Nakamba miscues the ball and almost sets Raheem Sterling awaty on the break but this time the forward can’t bring the ball under control and it skids away from him to a defender.
Sterling looks in top form tonight and somewhat back to his best. He’s causing real problems for the Luton back line.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:33 , Mike Jones
30 mins: Marvelous Nakamba goes in the book for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher who was attempting to get forward on the wing.
The Blues have taken their feet off the gas but they’re still in charge of the game.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:29 , Mike Jones
27 mins: It’s time for Luton to repsond and they do so but sprinting down the wings and floating in a couple of crosses that are heading away without too much trouble by the hosts.
Chelsea 1-0 Luton
20:26 , Mike Jones
22 mins: That was an excellent goal from Raheem Sterling and it already looks a long way back for Luton.
It’s still all Chelsea, although they’re prioritising possession over attacking the goal now.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Luton (Sterling, 17’)⚽️
20:18 , Mike Jones
17 mins: Raheem Sterling take a bow! The Chelsea forward receives the ball over on the right wing and he drives into the penalty area.
Some fancy footwork takes him past two Luton defenders before he guides a left-footed effort past Thomas Kaminski to put the Blues ahead!
Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:15 , Mike Jones
13 mins: Chance! Thiago Silva pings a long ball up the pitch and plays Nicolas Jackson in behind the lines. He collects the ball and releases it off to Ben Chilwell.
Chiwell sets up Enzo Fernandez for a set on the edge of the box but he lifts his effort high over the bar!
Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:12 , Mike Jones
10 mins: Chelsea have dominated this game since the start and are knocking on the door.
Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling combine through some intricate play to get the ball into the box but they can’t work a good angle to shoot from and Luton force them away once again.
Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:08 , Mike Jones
7 mins: Close! The free kick is whipped into the penalty area before dropping to Raheem Sterling in space.
Sterling runs onto the ball and smokes a first time shot at goal but somehow Thomas Kaminski manages to cling onto the ball and smother it before it cross the line.
Great save from the Luton goalkeeper!
Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:07 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Close! Nicolas Jackson receives the ball on the edge of the box and drives into the middle. He leaves it for Raheem Sterling who cuts onto his left foot and shoots from a tight angle.
The effort is blocked but the Blues continue their attack and win themselves a corner which is whipped over to the far post. No-one can get on the end of the cross but Chelsea recycle the ball over to Enzo Fernandez on the right side of thr pitch.
He attempted cross is blocked but Elijah Adebayo who uses his hand and gives away a free kick.
Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:04 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Moises Caicedo wins the ball and flicks it out wide to Malo Gusto who drives Chelsea forward down the right wing.
There’s nowhere for him to go as Luton defend in numbers so Gusto stops his run and sends the ball backwards to try and draw the Hatters out of position.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Luton
20:01 , Mike Jones
Chelsea get the ball rolling at Stamford Bridge just as the rain stops. The Blues will hope to collect their first win under Mauricio Pochettino tonight but they’ve not been fantastic at home recently.
A direct ball over towards Raheem Sterling doesn’t pay off as he loses possession and the ball is scooped up by Luton’s Thomas Kaminski.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:56 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
Ben Chilwell captains Chelsea in the absence of Reece James tonight. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are the big favourites to win tonight but can Luton cause an upset and earn their first points of the season?
Kick off is up next…
Chelsea vs Luton
19:53 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have dropped points in four of their six Premier League fixtures versus promoted opposition last season (Won two, drawn three and lost one).
Chelsea vs Luton
19:49 , Mike Jones
Chelsea could draw four consecutive top-flight games at Stamford Bridge for the first time since February 2016. They have conceded the first goal in six successive Premier League games.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:45 , Mike Jones
Carlton Morris could become the first player to score in the opening two games for a team making its Premier League debut since Ricardo Fuller for Stoke in 2008-09.
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley scored in his most recent Premier League appearance: a 91st-minute winner for Chelsea in a 2-1 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge in May 2022.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:41 , Mike Jones
The Hatters have won only one of their previous 35 top-flight away fixtures against London opposition (D9, L25).
Chelsea vs Luton
19:37 , Mike Jones
Chelsea are winless in nine home games in all competitions (D5, L4), since a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in March.
It is their longest streak without a home win since a run of 10 from November 1987 to April 1988.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:33 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 11 Premier League matches.
(PA)
Chelsea vs Luton
19:29 , Mike Jones
Luton are just the second side to play away in each of their first two Premier League games, after Blackpool in August 2010.
They are winless in their past 27 top-flight away matches (D6, L21) since beating Aston Villa 2-1 in March 1991.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:25 , Mike Jones
Chelsea could begin a Premier League campaign without winning any of their first three games for the first time since 1998-99 (D2, L1).
Their only win in their past 16 fixtures in all competitions was a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth in May.
Chelsea vs Luton
19:21 , Mike Jones
This is the first league meeting between the teams since they met in the top flight at Kenilworth Road in December 1991, when the Hatters won 2-0.
Chelsea vs Luton team news
19:17 , Mike Jones
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Gusto, Fernandez, Gallagher, Chilwell, Sterling, Caicedo, Jackson
Luton XI: Kaminski, Bell, Lockyer, Burke, Giles, Chong, Nakamba, Barkley, Kabore, Adebayo, Morris
Pre-match thoughts from Rob Edwards
18:55 , Mike Jones
Luton Town’s head coach, Rob Edwards, says he is ‘really looking forward’ to taking on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight and hopes his team enjoys playing in the top-flight.
“Really looking forward to it,” said Edwards. “It’s what we’ve all worked hard for. We as a football club have been out of the top-flight for a long time, everyone’s been dying for this so let’s go and enjoy it.
“But the best way to enjoy is by putting on a good performance and competing well. You can never guarantee a result, we’re going there to try and win and we’ll go there absolutely trying to do that.
“I’ve got huge respect for what Mauricio [Pochettino] has done in his career so far and he’s proved to be one of the best in the world. It’s great, and I’ll say this all the time.”
Chelsea suffer blow with Carney Chukwuemeka injury update
18:50 , Mike Jones
Carney Chukwuemeka has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury in a major blow to Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The teenager had started both of Chelsea’s opening Premier League games under Pochettino but came off in the 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
He underwent surgery on Monday, and posted on Instagram: “Minor setback but I will be back stronger than ever. Thank you Chelsea fans for your love and support. See you soon.”
Chukwuemeka was replaced Mykhailo Mudryk and the 22-year-old Ukrainian, who signed for around £62m last season, could now get an extended run in the team alongside Raheem Sterling Nicolas Jackson in Chelsea’s front three.
Chelsea suffer blow with Carney Chukwuemeka injury update
Young players will come good for Chelsea believes Pochettino
18:45 , Mike Jones
“I really believe in the squad and the quality of the squad,” added Pochettino.
“Now it’s only the process. We are in a good way. If we had four or six points it would help, but we need to be positive. It’s the beginning, we are going to win games. There’s no doubt the quality is there, it’s only a matter of time.
“There have been many positive things. We need to give them time to perform, but we have good balance. Even the younger players have experience, like Enzo [Fernandez]. He’s a World Cup champion.
“Of course the Premier League is different, but then it’s about how we are capable of organising the team and creating a team that plays really well.
“The priority is to play well, but then you have to compete. That’s another football. Set-pieces etc. In that football you need some experienced players, but we have good balance. It’s only about improving this, and for sure we are going to do that.”
Pochettino on facing Luton
18:40 , Mike Jones
“I was telling the players in the pre-match meeting we need to match the aggression of the Luton players,” revealed Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino when speaking about tonight’s clash with Luton.
“If we match all this, the will and everything, we presume we have better quality and we will win. But if not, the game can be crazy and we can win or we can lose. That is football.
“It’s going to be a tough game. We were analysing them and they are a strong team. It’s so clear the way they play, 5-3-2, really fast in transition, really strong in set-pieces.
“It’s a team we need to respect and be careful and be ready to match them in the way they play, and then be clear in the way we play and try to make a difference.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino
18:35 , Mike Jones
Former Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has stressed the need for Mauricio Pochettino to be given time but knows not all of the club’s big-money signings will handle the pressure.
The Blues are without a win after two matches of this season’s Premier League after an encouraging 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool was followed up by Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
Chelsea have spent more than £350million on transfers this summer, which has taken their overall outlay under Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium to nearly £1billion since he completed his takeover at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea vs Luton
18:30 , Mike Jones
Luton have won just one of their last seven league away matches versus Chelsea with one draw and five defeats.
That victory was a 3-1 top-flight win in September 1986.
Chelsea vs Luton
18:25 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have won the last three meetings with Luton in all competitions, with all of these games coming in the FA Cup between 1994 and 2022.
Will they make it four wins from four tonight?
Chelsea and Luton face a chance they can’t afford to miss
18:20 , Mike Jones
In truth, we could be talking about any clubs. In truth, this applies to several fixtures across the coming weekend in the Premier League. But it perhaps has most relevance to the Stamford Bridge clash on Friday night, where Chelsea are hosting Luton Town, a meeting of financial Goliaths and Davids, of monetary men and mice, of the extravagant and the efficient.
It’s a simple statement, but it holds undeniable truth: as early as it is in the 2023/24 season, given their respective objectives can these clubs afford to be wasting early opportunities to get points on the board?
Of course, for Luton the very notion of taking their first top-flight point since 1996 away to Chelsea might be considered unlikely to many. They had until this month, after all, been in the Conference Premier more recently than they had been in the former Premier League, the old First Division.
Chelsea and Luton face a chance they can’t afford to miss
Chelsea vs Luton latest odds and prediction
18:15 , Mike Jones
Latest odds ahead of the match at Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea win 2/9
Draw 6/1
Luton win 14/1
Prediction: Chelsea emerge relatively comfortable winners to earn Mauricio Pochettino his first win of the Premier League season. Chelsea 3-1 Luton
Chelsea vs Luton predicted line-ups
18:10 , Mike Jones
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson.
Luton XI: Kaminski; Andersen, Lockyer, Bell; Kabore, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Chong, Giles; Morris, Adebayo.
Chelsea vs Luton early team news
18:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea remain without captain Reece James, who is set to miss a few weeks of action with a hamstring injury. Christopher Nkunku is a longer term absentee after undergoing knee surgery, while Carney Chukwuemeka will also reportedly miss about six weeks of football after sustaining a knee injury against West Ham. Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja are also sidelined.
Ankle injuries continue to keep Jordan Clark and Dan Potts out of Luton’s squad, while Gabriel Osho and Reece Burke are also absent. Veteran goalkeeper Tim Krul could figure for the first time after completing his move from Norwich.
How to watch Chelsea vs Luton
18:00 , Mike Jones
Chelsea vs Luton is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 25 August at Stamford Bridge in London.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go.
Chelsea vs Luton
16:55 , Mike Jones
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Chelsea take on Luton Town at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are yet to win in the top-flight under Mauricio Pochettino after an opening round draw with Liverpool was followed up by a 3-1 defeat to West Ham last time out. Pochettino is juggling a number of injuries within his squad but should have enough quality to earn a positive result against Luton.
Luton, meanwhile, haven’t played since their 4-1 defeat to Brighton on the first weekend of the season. The newly promoted side saw their fixture against Burnley postponed as Kenilworth Road is being upgraded to meet Premier League standards. A two week break has given them more time to prepare for this match though and the Hatters will hope to earn their first points of the season tonight.
