Match ends, Luton Town 2, Coventry City 0.
LutonLuton Town2CoventryCoventry City0
Luton Town cruised to victory over Championship strugglers Coventry City, who played with 10 men at Kenilworth Road for more than half the match.
James Bree volleyed in Harry Cornick's 23rd-minute cross before visiting defender Kyle McFadzean was shown a straight red card on 41 minutes for handling Cornick's shot on the line.
Elijah Adebayo converted the penalty and, from then on, Luton stayed on top.
Coventry's defeat keeps them just six points above the relegation zone.
The Sky Blues came into this fixture having won just twice in 10 games, and Luton tried to capitalise on any lack of confidence by starting positively.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick from out wide was sliced onto his own post by Coventry's Maxime Biamou before McFadzean's clearance also struck the woodwork in a frantic opening.
Two minutes later it was the visitors' turn to hit the goal frame at the other end when Biamou, one-on-one with Luton keeper Simon Sluga, curled an effort against the inside of the post.
Once Luton took the lead it was one-way traffic, as the Coventry woodwork was tested for a third time in the 50th minute when Sky Blues defender Sam McCallum headed Dewsbury-Hall's corner against his own bar.
Leo Skiri Ostigard then cleared a Ryan Tunnicliffe effort off the line after 70 minutes, while Jordan Clark had a fierce strike kept out by Ben Wilson from a tight angle.
Nathan Jones' side were untroubled in the closing stages as they rose to 13th in the Championship table, while Coventry stay 20th.
Coventry boss Mark Robins said afterwards that City are likely to appeal against the handball decision which earned Luton their killer second goal - in the hope that the red-carded McFadzean may not have to serve an automatic suspension.
Luton manager Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We got away with one when they hit the post. But performance level, on the whole we were excellent.
"Once they went down to 10 men, we were really dominant. For me, it was a red card. It was clearly a penalty. We're just delighted it was given.
"Some of our play was wonderful. But we need to be more clinical, that's something we need to get better at."
Coventry City boss Mark Robins:
"Having seen it, Kyle McFadzean was adamant it wasn't handball. It looks like his shoulder.
"From the referee's perspective in real time the body movement might have made it look like he handballed it but the referee was guessing on a few things.
"That is disappointing because it has cost us, really. I think it is worth an appeal."
Line-ups
Luton
Formation 3-5-2
- 12Sluga
- 6PearsonBooked at 90mins
- 16Rea
- 24Naismith
- 26Bree
- 17Mpanzu
- 4Tunnicliffe
- 22Dewsbury-Hall
- 18Clark
- 7CornickSubstituted forCollinsat 81'minutes
- 29AdebayoSubstituted forNombeat 81'minutesBooked at 82mins
Substitutes
- 1Shea
- 2Cranie
- 8Berry
- 14Moncur
- 19Collins
- 25LuaLua
- 27Nombe
- 28Morrell
- 39Ince
Coventry
Formation 3-5-1-1
- 13Wilson
- 2Østigard
- 5McFadzeanBooked at 41mins
- 15Hyam
- 23DaboSubstituted forDa Costaat 62'minutes
- 38HamerSubstituted forSheafat 62'minutes
- 6Kelly
- 25James
- 21McCallum
- 11O'HareSubstituted forGoddenat 72'minutes
- 9BiamouSubstituted forWalkerat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Marosi
- 8Allen
- 12Gyökeres
- 14Sheaf
- 16Pask
- 19Walker
- 24Godden
- 26Shipley
- 29Da Costa
- Referee:
- Steve Martin
Match Stats
Home TeamLutonAway TeamCoventry
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Luton Town 2, Coventry City 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Collins (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Sam Nombe (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Booking
Matty Pearson (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Tyler Walker (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by James Bree (Luton Town).
Post update
Attempt blocked. James Collins (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. James Collins (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
Post update
Leo Østigard (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by James Collins (Luton Town).
Post update
Foul by Julien Da Costa (Coventry City).
Post update
Jordan Clark (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, Coventry City. Tyler Walker tries a through ball, but Matt Godden is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Matt Godden (Coventry City).
Post update
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Leo Østigard (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by James Collins (Luton Town).
Post update
Attempt missed. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Luton Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Leo Østigard (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
