ROB EDWARDS asked and his Luton heroes delivered as the Hatters ‘did it for Tom’ at an emotionally-charged Kenilworth Road.
Stricken skipper Tom Lockyer is recovering at home after suffering a cardiac arrest last weekend at Bournemouth.
But his teammates did the Wales international proud to breathe new life into their survival fight and make it a Nightmare Before Christmas for sinking Newcastle.
Winger Andros Townsend bagged his first Luton goal with a first-half header before grabbing Lockyer’s No. 4strip from the bench and holding it aloft in front of the locals.
After a chastening week, Luton boss Edwards - who was left in tears at full-time - ordered his stars to channel their pain into battering the Magpies.
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And they duly obliged with a superb showing from back to front, unlucky to only win by just the one goal.
A first clean sheet of the campaign, it stops the rot following three straight defeats to leave them three points off safety.
Newcastle have so many injuries, forcing the same small group to go again and again, so yes, they look goosed.
However, on the road they are simply pony.
Toon were not up for the battle against an inspired Luton from the off in what is becoming alarmingly worrying form.
It’s now four straight Prem defeats on their travels and seven losses in 11 home and away across all competitions.
Boss Eddie Howe has praised his side throughout this difficult spell – but this was surely the worst of the lot.
Luton’s sole change from their abandoned game at Bournemouth was Gabriel Osho replacing Lockyer in defence.
In their first league meeting since 1993, both sets of fans came together to give their support before battle commenced.
As cries of ‘Ohhh Tommy, Tommy’ reverberated around all four corners of Kenilworth Road, the traveling Toon Army displayed a banner which read ‘Get well soon Tom’.
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Four minutes in and everyone was off their seat, applauding and singing Lockyer’s name.
And once the pleasantries were over it was fired-up Luton tearing into the Geordies.
The Hatters were winning every 50/50 and second ball, charging forward at will against the rattled Tynesiders.
Newcastle grew into the hustle and bustle nature and had the first big chance but Callum Wilson nodded a free header straight at Thomas Kaminski from six yards.
Put on a plate by Anthony Gordon, the England striker really should have scored – and what a miss it proved as Luton bagged the winner 25 minutes in.
Alfie Doughty’s corner was nodded on by Ross Barkley and Townsend found himself unmarked at the back post to head home and send the old stadium wild.
The winger’s first Hatters goal, the ground stood in applause again as he went over to the dugout and held Lockyer’s shirt up in tribute.
While that was a relatively routine goal, the superb Barley was then inches away from a Goal of the Season contender as he clattered the bar from 30 yards.
The reborn Scouser was at it again moments later, driving through the heart of Newcastle’s midfield and teeing up Adebayo, who was only denied by a smart Martin Dubravka save.
Howe had seen enough, hooking teen midfielder Lewis Miley for forward Alexander Isak at the same time as skipper Jamaal Lascelles hobbled off.
But the Magpies were still failing to get a grip after the break when Jacob Brown fired off the crossbar.
Isak did find the net for Newcastle on the hour, but the Swede was inches offside after being slipped in by Miguel Almiron.
But it was hardly as if Newcastle were hammering on the door in search of the equaliser as the clock ticked on, with Luton holding out for a special win after the most testing of times before a tear-filled lap of honour as the locals sang Lockyer's name loud and proud.
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