Soccer-Luton manager, players handed ‘ruthless’ re-introduction to top flight

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Luton Town - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 12, 2023 Luton Town's Carlton Morris scores their first goal from the penalty spot past Brighton & Hove Albion's Jason Steele REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

BRIGHTON, England (Reuters) - Luton Town had a rude awakening on their return to the top flight and a ruthless introduction to the Premier League as they lost 4-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Rob Edwards said after Saturday's defeat.

It was Luton’s first top-division game in 31 years - back before the introduction of the Premier League - and most pundits see the club as having little chance of survival after their surprise success in the Championship playoffs in May.