Luton’s first match back in the top flight for 31 years ended in heavy defeat as Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra marked their debuts with a goal each in a comfortable Brighton win.
Solly March headed in after 35 minutes before Pedro, signed for a club-record fee around £30m from Watford, scored a second-half penalty following a foul by Luton captain Tom Lockyer.
The Hatters pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining when last season’s top scorer Carlton Morris converted another penalty – awarded for handball against Lewis Dunk – but 21-year-old Ivorian Adingra sealed the Seagulls’ win by slotting home after a bad mistake from Luton’s Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.
The Hatters had acquitted themselves well in their first Premier League outing – their last match in the top flight came in 1992 before Premier League rebrand – but Brighton were worthy winners.
Pedro, 21, should have opened the scoring after five minutes but scuffed a gilt-edged chance wide from eight yards.
The Seagulls, who left midfielder Moises Caicedo out of their squad amid interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, also hit the post three times.