Manchester City survived a scare as they recovered from going a goal behind at half-time to put down a brave fight by Luton and battle to a 2-1 Premier League victory at Kenilworth Road.
The champions had been without a victory in four games and that run looked like stretching in the most unlikely circumstances when Elijah Adebayo headed in for Rob Edwards’ side on the stroke of the interval.
City were missing the injured Erling Haaland – with in-form winger Jeremy Doku also ruled out – and looked set to remain seven points off the Premier League summit as Luton bravely held their lead beyond the hour mark.
Then, with two goals in three minutes from Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva, Pep Guardiola’s team came alive to renew their title defense. A historic upset was just avoided.
City attacked Luton right away. Within two minutes, Thomas Kaminski brilliantly blocked Phil Foden’s attempt as he broke into the box from the left. When more poise was needed, Silva erred hurriedly and sliced wide off the rebound.
The next to test Luton’s keeper was Rodri, who unleashed a powerful drive from 20 yards and drew a nice one-handed save. The Belgian then made his third and best save of the first 30 minutes, diving low to save Foden’s rocket of a shot.