Discover the largest tales from throughout the soccer world by visiting our High Soccer Information part and subscribing to push notifications.
Bournemouth staged an astonishing fightback from three objectives right down to beat Luton 4-3 and spoil Tom Lockyer’s emotional return to the scene of his near-death ordeal on Wednesday.
Lockyer collapsed on the pitch after struggling a cardiac arrest in the course of the second half of Luton’s Premier League match on the Vitality Stadium on December 16.
The Wales defender was “technically lifeless” for over two minutes as medics fought to save lots of his life.
Rushed to hospital and fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Lockyer has been capable of resume regular life however is but to return to enjoying with Luton.
After the unique sport was deserted with the rating at 1-1, the 29-year-old was again at Bournemouth for the rearranged fixture 88 days on from the harrowing incident.
Lockyer’s presence initially galvanised Luton, who scored 3 times within the first half via Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley.
However Bournemouth hit again in gorgeous type after the interval because of strikes from Dominic Solanke, Illia Zabarnyi and two-goal Antoine Semenyo.
Third-bottom Luton sit three factors adrift of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest after blowing a golden alternative to climb out of the relegation zone.
Forest will go to Luton in an important showdown on Saturday.
Luton’s in opposition to the chances bid to increase their keep within the high flight pales compared to Lockyer’s personal struggle for survival.
Lockyer is uncertain if he’ll ever play once more after his second collapse, following an related incident throughout Luton’s Championship play-off last victory in opposition to Coventry at Wembley in Could.
For now, he spends his days getting used to turning into a father for the primary time after his girlfriend not too long ago gave delivery to their child daughter.
It was a heart-warming scene that greeted Lockyer when he stepped off the Luton staff bus to loud cheers from ready followers.
Lockyer was on the entrance of Bournemouth’s match-day programme, with psychological well being first aiders available to supply recommendation to followers on the stadium about cardiac well being.
‘They’re heroes’
“I am fairly numb to the entire thing however being again right here, I got here into the tunnel space and noticed the paramedics that saved my life. I recognised them immediately,” Lockyer stated in a pre-match interview.
“What do you say aside from thanks? They’re heroes they usually saved my life. I received a bit of bit emotional.”
A banner in Luton’s orange and white colors displaying a picture of Lockyer’s smiling face was held up within the away finish.
He walked onto the pitch simply earlier than kick-off and shook fingers with the life-saving medics.
Given a standing ovation from all 4 sides of the stadium, Lockyer was visibly moved as Bournemouth and Luton followers chanted his title.
Fittingly, the sport was memorable for the best causes this time, though Lockyer and Luton may disagree.
Within the ninth minute, Jordan Clark’s pin-point cross picked out Chong and he planted a header previous Neto as Lockyer celebrated within the stands.
Luton doubled their lead within the thirty first minute when Alfie Doughty’s intelligent cut-back invited Ogbene to fit dwelling from shut vary.
Barkley bagged Luton’s third objective in first-half stoppage time, blasting previous Neto after breaking Bournemouth’s offside entice.
However Solanke began Bournemouth’s escape within the fiftieth minute with a robust strike from inside the realm.
Each units of followers shared a spherical of applause within the 59th minute to mark the time of Lockyer’s collapse.
Simply three minutes later, Zabarnyi had Luton’s nerves jangling when he headed dwelling from a nook.
Luton’s meltdown was full within the sixty fourth minute as Semenyo drilled previous Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
And there was even worse to come back for Rob Edwards’ facet within the 83rd minute when Semenyo produced one other blistering strike to go away Lockyer and firm shocked.
