Edwards hails 'special' performance as Hatters blow away Brighton

Rob Edwards highlighted the importance of a 'special night' in his team's debut Premier League season after his Luton side thumped Brighton 4-0

The Hatters produced a stunning display to blow their well-fancied opposition away at Kenilworth Road.

Elijah Adebayo scored a hat-trick for the rampant hosts, who moved above Everton and out of the relegation zone.

Edwards said: "I sensed that we could win the game and believed we could. You never fully know how it's going to go.

"We got off to a tremendous start and we were able to get our foot down and keep it going.

"You're always aware and worried that a team like Brighton can change the game and flip it on its head — but credit to the players, they kept doing what we asked them to do and stuck to the plan for 99 minutes.

"We believe in this group and we're improving pretty rapidly. There's good performances and we're actually getting some good results off the back of that.

"We'll keep doing what we do and working extremely hard — tonight's a really special night."

Captain Tom Lockyer, who returned to Kenilworth Road for the first time since his cardiac arrest at Bournemouth last month, was given a rapturous reception by the Luton fans.

Edwards said: "Locks [Lockyer] is back and he's able to see the supporters and they can see him to show their love and appreciation for him.

"The bravery, the determination, the intensity embodies him, and that's what we talk about all the time. It was brilliant for him to see the lads before the game.

"We're on the crest of a wave at the moment, so we've got to keep this going."

On hat-trick hero Adebayo, Edwards added: "Delighted for Eli — he deserves it for his work rate and all-round game.

"He's really tidying up his link-up play now, becoming a real threat and bringing others into play. He presses brilliantly, as well as anyone, and he's a goal threat.

"He just has to keep doing what he's doing."