Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: EFL Championship, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Luton Town will play in the Premier League for the first time after beating Coventry 6-5 on penalties in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
The two sides set up a huge encounter, regularly dubbed "the richest game in football" after knocking off Middlesbrough and Sunderland in their respective semi-finals after finishing third and fifth in the second-tier.
Luton, who had captain Tom Lockyer stretchered off after 12 minutes in worrying scenes, went 1-0 up courtesy of Jordan Clark.
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The former Accrington Stanley man smashed home for the Hatters after fine work from Elijah Adebayo down the flank.
Coventry looked a shadow of themselves in the 45 minutes and were comfortably second best against Rob Edwards' men.
But the Midlands outfit found their rhythm after a half-time change saw Matty Godden replace Jamie Allen and brought an improved attacking impetus.
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And Gustavo Hamer pulled the Sky Blues level with a fine finish after being teed up by Viktor Gyokeres in the 66th minute.
The Dutch maestro then left the field in tears after picking up an injury that he was unable to shake off.
The two sides couldn't be separated in 90 minutes - even with eight minutes of added time - and so the end-to-end contest headed to extra time.
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But that also didn't result in any goals, after substitute Joe Taylor's 117th minute strike was ruled out for handball - meaning after 49 games, the fate of both clubs next season hinged on a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
The standard of spot-kick was incredibly strong, with both sides scoring their first five and goalkeepers Ben Wilson and Ethan Horvath getting nowhere near them.
But then Fankaty Dabo got his penalty horribly wrong and blazed his effort way over the bar to confirm Luton's promotion to the Premier League.
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They've been away from the top-flight from 31 years and were in Non-League nine years ago but will now be playing Premier League football at Kenilworth Road next season.
Luton, who are joined in the Premier League by Burnley and Sheffield United, have one of the most unique away ends in football and reportedly need to make substantial improvements to their ground in preparation for next term.