Luton 1-0 Newcastle: Player ratings as Magpies beaten by spirited Hatters

Newcastle United fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Luton Town on Saturday afternoon thanks to Andros Townsend's header.

Luton took a one-goal advantage into the first-half break, Townsend heading home at the far post from a corner. A dominant performance from the Hatters perhaps could have had them further in front, but Ross Barkley's fierce strike smashed the crossbar and stayed out.

Despite Newcastle's best efforts, they couldn't find an equaliser. The closest they came was Alexander Isak's offside effort just after the hour mark, but ultimately the Hatters secured a memorable win.

After a traumatic and emotional encounter with Bournemouth last weekend following captain Tom Lockyer's cardiac arrest, Luton returned to action against Newcastle. Fortunately, the Welsh defender is now in a stable condition and recovering at home, likely watching on as his side tangled with Eddie Howe's men at Kenilworth Road.

Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was Newcastle who created the first major opening. The Magpies saw two shots well blocked inside the area, the latter looping into the path of Callum Wilson, but the striker was unable to redirect the ball goalward. Thomas Kaminski then produced a sharp stop to rebuff Wilson's close-range header several minutes later.

However, it was the Hatters who would take the lead with 25 minutes played, Townsend lurking at the far-post to head home Barkley's flick-on from a corner. The 32-year-old dedicated his goal to Lockyer, holding up a shirt with the Luton skipper's name on the back.

Barkley almost etched his name on the scoresheet before the break with a stunning strike, but his powerful effort from 25 yards rebounded off the underside of the crossbar. Elijah Adebayo tested Martin