Yak’s pizza the action
YAKOU MEITE feasted off woeful Luton defending to score FOUR times – and then spent the final 20 minutes tucking into pizza in the stands.
The Reading forward scored a hat-trick inside 35 minutes as Nathan Jones’ unbeaten start to his second spell in charge at Kenilworth Road ended in humiliating fashion.
Luton were simply not at the races after last week’s 1-0 win at Swansea and a 1-1 draw at leaders Leeds in midweek.
And Ivorian Meite, 24, took full advantage to take his season’s tally to 16 before being able to take it easy for the last quarter of the game.
It finally handed some satisfaction to boss Mark Bowen after three winless games.
He said: “I’ve always said we need to strive for some consistency. We had to bounce back.
“Yakou’s finishes were quality – and sometimes there is that criticism of him. He will push on from this now. I’m delighted for him. Before anyone criticises him, players need fuel as soon as they finish
LUTON work – I was just a bit surprised it was pizza.
“I’m not sure what toppings he had but it smelt good!”
After Dan Potts had cleared off the line to deny Meite and James Collins had a header that hit the bar, Reading took a 17th-minute lead.
It was George Puscas who set up Meite to finish well and within a minute it was two.
This time desperate defending from Luton and keeper Simon Sluga let in Meite whose finish was composed.
Luton were three down by 35 minutes as Meite beat Sluga again after a clever pass from Ovie Ejaria. Things got no better for the Hatters in the second half with Puscas nodding in after Michael Morrison had headed back Tyler Blackett’s cross.
Meite then grabbed his fourth after running on to a Puscas flick – before going off to his pizza party.
Luton are now five points from safety with a minus-32 goal difference ahead of a week that sees pivotal fixtures at home to Barnsley and away at Huddersfield.
Jones said: “We were really, really flat. We can only put it down to the effort they’ve put in but I’m really disappointed.
“There was so much wrong today. It was chalk and cheese from the previous three games. The players will be hurting.”
READING