Historic hat-trick! Nigerian boy puts his endlessly long name in the history of Luton Town

It took him just 18 seconds to find the back of the Seagulls' net on Tuesday night. It was a sign of a sensational night for Elijah, a Nigerian boy born and raised in England, who has put his name in the history of Luton Town by becoming their first-ever player to score a Premier League hat-trick.

Adebayo ran in behind Brighton's wide-open defence to convert a shot for his second goal in the 42nd, and he completed his hat trick in the 56th, becoming the first Luton player to grab three goals in one top-flight game since Lars Elstrup in September 1990.

He led the Hatters to a convincing 4-0 trashing of Brighton at Kenilworth Road to climb out of the relegation zone.

Believe it or not, Adebayo - whose full name is actually Elijah Anuoluwapo Oluwaferanmi Oluwatomi Oluwalana Ayomikulehin Adebayo - was facing a very uncertain future not so long ago. He was released by his boyhood club Fulham, where he'd been since 8. Soon, he faced a rough start to his Luton days, too. In October 2022 he took time away due to off-field problems after suffering racist abuse, the third time in 12 months, and again in October 2023. Thankfully, the 26-year-old was able to keep his head up, fight the issue and prove what is he made of.

"My journey was different because I had to go and prove myself right down in the seventh division at some point," he told The Athletic in a recent interview.

"Everyone will know I played for Slough Town and Bognor Regis. I've worked my way up now and I don't want to stop here, I want to go again."

His Luton Town coach Rob Edwards was full of praise for his striker after a marvellous display on Tuesday night.

"He can defend set-pieces, he's a threat in the six-yard box, because of his hold-up play and pressing and he's scoring some goal goals," said Edwards after the win over Brighton.

"He's got a really high ceiling. If he stays focused and keeps working hard, he can go a long way and have a really good career."

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22

Tuesday

Nott. Forest - Arsenal 1-2 (0-0)

/Awoniyi 89 - Jesus , Saka /

Fulham - Everton 0-0

Luton - Brighton 4-0 (3-0)

/Adebayo 1, 42, 56, Ogbene 3/

Crystal Palace - Sheffield Utd 3-2 (2-2)

/Eze 17, 27, Olise 67 - Diaz 1, McAtee 20/

Aston Villa - Newcastle 1-3 (0-2)

/Watkins 71 - Schar 32, 36, Moreno 52 og/

Wednesday

22:30 (1.70) Tottenham (3.90) Brentford (4.90)

22:30 (1.10) Manchester City (11.0) Burnley (18.0)

23:15 (1.63) Liverpool (4.20) Chelsea (5.70)

Thursday

22:30 (2.50) West Ham (3.50) Bournemouth (2.95)

23:15 (2.85) Wolverhampton (3.50) Manchester United (2.55)

***odds are subject to change