Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted his side deserved to be on the end of an upset as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 defeat at Exeter.
Demetri Mitchell scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute, poking in from close range from Yanic Wildschut’s cross, before he was sent off two minutes from time after collecting a second yellow card.
Toothless Luton, who made 10 changes from their Premier League draw with Wolves, rarely troubled League One Exeter, who reached round four for the first time since 1989 and claimed their first top-flight scalp since beating Leicester in the FA Cup back in 1981.
Edwards said: “It was a disappointing night for us clearly. Congratulations to Exeter, I have got to say that. With all of the possession we had tonight, we didn’t look like we were going to score.
“We need to be better, more aggressive, more clinical and have more desire to create chances and, when we do, be more ruthless.
“We can’t keep saying the same things at the moment. We have been sucker-punched out of a mistake on our part and we have not had the quality or desire to get the ball over the line and ultimately we got punished and don’t deserve to go through.
“I do want more. There wasn’t a lack of commitment or effort, I would never label that at our group, but I want to see more quality in that final third.
“As the game started opening up, we started to cause more problems for them, but they defended the box very well with high numbers and that is difficult to break down.
“We wanted to go deep into the competition, but we needed to make the changes we made.”
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell hailed a magnificent “team effort” from his side.
“I am really proud of the players, they were absolutely incredible tonight,” Caldwell said. “We had to come up with a game plan and we had one day to work on it and they performed it to the letter.
“In the beginning, I thought we understood it, but we weren’t quite aggressive enough and, as the game wore on, we got better, they got more frustrated and it was an amazing win.
“Full credit to the players for the effort, the desire to not concede, to fight for the team, to fight for each other – it was unbelievable.
“I said we were hoping for a special night under the lights at St James Park and I think we got it.
“Everyone was amazing tonight, the finishers that came on as well. It was a real team effort tonight and everyone deserves credit.
“This stadium is special and we want anyone to come here and we believe that, on our day, when we get it right, then we can be a real match for anyone.
“That’s the spirit and belief I want to get into these players and tonight will give them confidence.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal plans for next season BIGMATCH EPL transfer market It's hard to disagree with him. 1st Group to get knocked out And The WORST is yet to come. Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Juventus offer choice of THREE stars to Man Utd in Sancho swapJuventus have reportedly reignited their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho by proposing a swap deal that includes a selection of three players from their current squad, according to GiveMeSport.Bayern Munich launch 'concrete' move for Liverpool's DiazBayern Munich have reportedly stepped up their interest in Liverpool wi...
BAYERN MUNICH are considering a shock move for Marcus Rashford.The Manchester United outcast is available for transfer this summer after being loaned out to Aston Villa last season.Marcus Rashford is wanted by Bayern MunichBayern are understood to be interested in the England star after being impressed by his form at Villa Park.Rashford, 27, scored four goals in 27 games for Unai Emery's side, and...
Arsenal are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Sporting Lisbon for the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, as a move for Benjamin Sesko appears to be on hold. The Gunners' main objective this summer is to secure a top-notch striker, and the pair have been identified as prime targets.Both players are expected to depart their current clubs ahead of the 2025-26 season, but until now it was uncertain w...
Juventus coach Igor Tudor said 10 players asked to be substituted during his team's FIFA Club World Cup defeat against Real Madrid due to fatigue caused by "really difficult conditions" in the round-of-16 tie in Miami.Gonzalo García's second-half goal secured a 1-0 win for Madrid and confirmed the Spanish club's place in the quarterfinals at the expense of Italian giants Juve.But while temper...
Inzaghi: Al Hilal beating Man City like Everest without oxygenAl-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi compared his team’s stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City in the Club World Cup last 16 to “climbing Mount Everest without oxygen,”.The Saudi team will take on Brazil’s Fluminense in the quarter-finals on Friday, following Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner th...
Newcastle apologise for 'offensive' flag in kit videoNewcastle United have issued an apology after a promotional video for their new third kit, created in partnership with Adidas, sparked concerns over cultural insensitivity.The controversy arose from the inclusion of a flag in the footage that appeared to resemble a historically controversial symbol.In one scene, fans were seen waving a Rising Su...
Jonathan David to Juventus close as striker nears decisionJuventus are reportedly closing in on free agent Jonathan David following his exit from Lille.According to Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A side is close to reaching an agreement with Canadian international after submitting a new offer.Negotiations are ongoing, with Juventus hopeful of securing the final green light soon.David has drawn interes...
Haaland asks Al Hilal goalkeeper Bounou to join Man City after stunning performanceAl-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou pulled off an excellent performance against Manchester City as they beat the Premier League side 4-3 in the Club World Cup.Many have only heard of Bounou after he led Morocco to the semi-final in the 2022 World Cup. Now, he is helping Al-Hilal progress to the next round of the Club...
Man Utd snubbed loan deal for Duran after his 3336k-a-week wages were revealedManchester United reportedly turned down the chance to take Jhon Duran on loan after discovering his huge wages.Just six months after making the high-profile switch from Aston Villa to Al Nassr in a deal reportedly worth around 364M, Duran has joined former United boss Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce ahead of the new campaig...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 6 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 7 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 8 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for