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 1990.2017: Playing in non-league football2024: Scores a PL hat-trick vs BrightonElijah Adebayo (26) incredible football journey continues! 🏴🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/cCPMXc4Art— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 31, 2024 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.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7837896##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 22TuesdayNott. Forest – Arsenal 1-2 (0-0)/Awoniyi 89 – Jesus , Saka /Fulham – Everton 0-0Luton – 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/Wednesday22:30 (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)Thursday22:30 (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
