Powerful and perfectly-placed finishes from Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke gave us a 2-0 lead at half-time and we added to that advantage midway through the second period courtesy of another cool Palmer finish.

We had shown plenty of defensive resilience to keep the Hatters at bay, but everything changed in the final 10 minutes as the hosts laid siege to our goal. They hit the woodwork twice, had a goal disallowed by VAR, and scored twice through Ross Barkley and Elijah Adebayo.

But the Blues just about held on to secure a welcome three points and back-to-back wins heading into the new year.

Madueke was one of four fresh faces in the Chelsea team after his star turn against Crystal Palace, and some tricky wing play down the right set up our first chance of the game. Conor Gallagher’s shot was saved by the feet of Thomas Kaminski.

Strong start rewarded

Mauricio Pochettino wanted to see his team compete at the tightest ground in the league, and the early indicators were we ready to do just that. There was a tangible early reward for our efforts.

Nicolas Jackson, playing off the left, was freed down the channel. Kaminski kept out his low strike but Issa Kabore could only pass the loose ball straight to Palmer. His finish was unerring.

Luton showed what they are about in response to that 12th-minute opener. Former Blue Barkley was at the centre of their best play, and he whipped a free-kick not far over Djordje Petrovic’s bar.

In front of the travelling support, we stood up to a succession of crosses sent in to our six-yard box. Then, with 37 minutes gone, a devastating counter-attack concluded with a second Chelsea goal.

Colwill, Jackson and Moises Caicedo carefully engineered the ball out of a tight spot in front of the dugouts. Colwill passed infield to Palmer, who moved it on to Madueke. He took his time before opting to thump a shot goalwards with his right. It was a good decision! The ball flew into the top corner.

Either side of the half-time break the Hatters dominated possession and territory, with the Blues happy to play on the counter. Several important blocks were made when an orange shirt did have a sight of goal.

Christopher Nkunku replaced Broja, who had been in the wars, shortly after the hour mark. He played through the middle.

It was Palmer bursting into that space to put us 3-0 ahead with 20 minutes remaining. Jackson did superbly in the centre circle to hold off his man and release Palmer. The finish was ice cold. He danced around Kaminski and sat another Hatter down before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Luton thought they had one back when Elijah Adebayo headed in an excellent Alfie Doughty cross, but replays showed there was an offside in the build-up.

Adebayo then headed against the crossbar from close range, but it was third time lucky for Luton as Barkley guided Doughty’s delivery past Petrovic from the resulting corner.

Ten minutes remained. Pochettino sent Enzo on for Madueke to help close out the game.

We needed Petrovic to produce his best save yet in a Chelsea shirt to keep us two goals ahead, the Serbian somehow tipping Carlton Morris’ header onto the bar.

Again the reprieve was brief. Again it was a cross causing problems. Chiedozie Ogbene’s centre was headed goalwards by Doughty, saved by Petrovic but only as far as Adebayo, who couldn’t miss. 3-2.

There were three minutes of normal time and then six more added on to see out. A cross fizzed along the six-yard box but to safety. Jackson won a goal-kick while on the ground. Sub Alfie Gilchrist dealt with one final Doughty burst down the left. The job was done. Just!

Happy New Year to all Blues fans.

What it means…

Our first away win in five keeps us in 10th spot heading in to 2024. We matched the scoreline from our most recent visit here, in the FA Cup last February.

What’s next…

After four games in 12 days the Blues have a welcome break before our next fixture. We host Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday 6 January, kick-off 5.30pm.

Our next away assignment is in the Carabao Cup when we travel to Middlesbrough for the first leg of our semi-final on Tuesday 9 January.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher (c); Madueke (Enzo 81), Palmer (Gilchrist 90+1), Jackson; Broja (Nkunku 62)
Unused subs Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Maatsen, Matos, Mudryk, Sterling
Scorers Palmer 12, 70, Madueke 37
Booked Gusto 90+4

Luton (3-4-2-1): Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell (c); Kabore (Ogbene h/t), Barkley, Lokonga (Woodrow 90+4), Doughty; Townsend (Morris 62), Brown (Chong h/t); Adebayo
Unused subs Krul, Andersen, Mpanzu, Clark, Giles
Scorers Barkley 80, Adebayo 87
Booked Brown 27, Mengi 77

Referee Paul Tierney
Crowd 11,041