Hatters handed a lesson during home defeat to impressive Bees

Luton Town were given something of a lesson by promotion-chasing Brentford at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, easily beaten 3-0.

The hosts simply couldn't lay a glove on their opponents for large chunks of the encounter as Thomas Frank's side showed just why they came so close to winning promotion to the Premier League last term, with a performance that oozed quality throughout.

It took Town until the 70th minute to get a shot of their own on target, as by that time they were already 2-0 down, conceding a third late on against a team who based on this impressive outing, will surely be making another concerted challenge to go up again this campaign.

Luton boss Nathan Jones made two changes to the team who drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening, Danny Hylton and Jordan Clark coming in for James Collins and Elliot Lee.

The visitors' leading scorer Ivan Toney went close early on, his header dropping just over the bar, before Town attacked on the right to force a corner, Sonny Bradley's fierce attempt charged down, the ball just not falling for the lurking Hylton.

Town's recalled attacker then couldn't quite divert Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's low free kick on target as the Bees began to take charge of proceedings, eager to manipulate possession where possible after keeping hold of it for long periods.

Bryan Mbeumo saw his low effort deflected behind, before the Bees did go in front on 20 minutes, Town committing men to their press and when their midfield was bypassed, the hosts couldn't clear their lines, Rico Henry gathering the loose ball to rifle into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

With the deadlock broken, the Bees just wouldn't give Luton the ball back at times, keeping it like a playground bull among their back four, transferring it through the lines when Luton attempted to win it back.

Having been hammered 7-0 at Griffin Park last season, there would have been alarm bells ringing on the half hour this time, when Brentford had their second.

A long ball over the top was met by the run of Mbeumo who honed in on goal, Rhys Norrington-Davies unable to bring the attacker down and his cross-shot was stabbed home by Toney for a ninth goal of the season already, Luton calling in vain for an offside flag that never materialised.

In a bid to try and get his side a foothold in the encounter, Jones made the bold call to take defender Matty Pearson off, moving to a back four, with Kazenga LuaLua on in his place.

Jones then altered things again at the break, Luke Berry replacing Norrington-Davies, as Martin Cranie went to left back, Tom Lockyer to right and Glen Rea dropping into the centre of defence alongside Sonny Bradley.

Luton started to look a bit more balanced with the changes, and fashioned their best opportunity with a sparkling move on the right.

Clark found the run of Lockyer, whose cross was blasted goalwards by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, only to hit the head of Mads Bech Sørensen and fly into the stands.

Still the Bees were always a threat, Sergi Canos breaking from deep midway through the half, rounding Rea with ease before dragging wide from 18 yards.

Some wonderful full back play by Henry almost led to a clinching third, his cross just behind Toney, as Luton finally had a shot on target with 20 minutes to go, LuaLua drilling straight at David Raya from range.

Emiliano Marcondes should have put the game beyond any semblance of doubt moments later, his downward header grabbed by Simon Sluga.

It was 3-0 on 77 minutes though, Bees sub Marcus Forss on and with pretty much his first touch, he was slipped through on the right, confidently dinking an effort over Sluga.

Three should have been four with nine minutes remaining, Josh Dasilva skying his close-range prod over the bar when left totally unmarked.

Hatters keeper Sluga looked certain to be picking the ball out of the net yet again moments later, Henrik Dalsgaard's near post header destined for the net, only for the Croatian to react superbly, somehow sticking out a left glove to tip the ball behind.

Mpanzu's low cross was too close to Raya as Luton just never looked they ever had it in them to get back into the game, seeing their winless run on home soil stretched to three games now.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Martin Cranie, Rhys Norrington-Davies (Luke Berry 46), Matty Pearson (Kazenga LuaLua 37), Sonny Bradley ©, Tom Lockyer, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jordan Clark (James Collins 74), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: James Shea, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Joe Morrell, Elliot Lee.

Bees: David Raya, Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock, Sergi Canos, Emiliano Marcondes, Josh Dasilva, Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo, Henrik Dalsgaard (C), Vitaly Janelt, Mads Bech Sorensen.

Subs not used: Dominic Thompson, Charlie Goode, Mathias Jensen, Marcus Forss, Saman Ghoddos, Tariqe Fosu, Luke Daniels.

Booked: Hylton 55, Janelt 90.

Referee: Michael Salisbury.