West Ham victorious at Kenilworth Road's Premier League debut

West Ham United moved to the summit of the Premier League table after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma earned David Moyes’ side a 2-1 victory over Luton Town, ending the Hatters’ nine-match unbeaten run on home soil in the process.

Having suffered heavy away defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea in their opening two league fixtures, Luton returned to the newly-revamped Kenilworth Road with a point to prove in their long-awaited first Premier League home match. The visit of in-form West Ham, however, promised to be another stern test of the Hatters’ top-flight credentials, and true to form, it was the visitors who edged a closely-fought opening 15 minutes, with Saïd Benrahma firing a sharp volley wide of the near post.

Roared on by the fervent home support, the Hatters gradually grew into the contest as the first half progressed, although clear-cut chances came at a premium, with both defences holding firm. Despite a growing sense of confidence among the Luton players, it was West Ham who produced the all-important breakthrough eight minutes before the interval, as Lucas Paquetá brilliantly picked out Bowen at the back post, giving the winger the simple task of heading home from six yards to put the Hammers ahead.

The hosts emerged after the restart desperate to gain a foothold in the match, but it was West Ham who remained the more threatening of the two sides in the final third, with Emerson seeing a well-taken strike disallowed for a marginal offside. Having tasted defeat just once in their last 11 home head-to-heads, Luton refused to lose hope with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, however, a distinct lack of cutting edge in front of goal continued to prove problematic for the Hatters as West Ham closed in on victory.

Any hopes of a late equaliser were finally put to bed five minutes from time when Zouma rose highest in the six-yard box to head home from James Ward-Prowse’s delivery, securing a third consecutive league win for the Hammers in the process. A stoppage-time consolation from Mads Juel Andersen gave the home fans something to cheer about late on, but it did little to alter the final result, as Rob Edwards’ side look to bounce back after the international break following a difficult introduction to the top flight.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 4

Friday

Luton - West Ham 1-2 (0-1)

/Andersen 90+2 - Bowen 37, Zouma 85/

Saturday

14.30: (3.05) Sheffield Utd (3.20) Everton (2.60)

17.00: (3.90) Burnley (3.50) Tottenham (1.95)

17.00: (1.75) Brentford (3.60) Bournemouth (4.90)

17.00: (1.40) Chelsea (5.00) Nott.Forest (9.00)

17.00: (1.20) Man.City (8.00) Fulham (14.0)

19.30: (2.70) Brighton (3.40) Newcastle (2.60)

Sunday

16.00: (1.70) Liverpool (3.90) Aston Villa (4.80)

16.00: (2.00) Crystal Palace (3.50) Wolverhampton (4.20)

18.30: (1.85) Arsenal (3.70) Man.Utd. (4.70)

***odds are subject to change