Gabe Osho was delighted to write his name into Luton Town history after scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Watford in the first derby in front of fans at Kenilworth Road for 17 years.
The 24-year-old’s first half strike was doubled in added time by Allan Campbell as the Hatters went joint third with Middlesbrough, who lost 4-2 at Huddersfield later in the afternoon.
Osho spoke of the feeling in the dressing room afterwards, saying: “Everyone is just happy to be a part of today, an important day for the club’s history, especially when you put it into perspective of what happened in the reverse fixture at their place, so everyone is just really happy.”
Having been sent off in the 4-0 defeat at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, scoring in the win was the perfect redemption for the ex-Reading youngster.
“It was important, and I think you could see that in my celebration,” he said. “Obviously for myself last time, I kind of let myself down with the sending off, so it was just nice to get a bit of revenge today and win the game, which was the most important thing.”
His goal was created by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who returned to action after it seemed like his season was over three weeks ago when he suffered a knee injury in the win at Sheffield United.
“I saw Pells running round and he has that power just to keep going and keep going, so when he crossed it, I can’t really remember what happened to be honest. I just stuck my foot out and it went in thankfully, but it was just a great day.”
On Mpanzu’s return, he went on: “Pells coming back was a big one for the team. Even when he’s injured he’s as loud as anything, so having him on the pitch today was just amazing.
“I think in comparison to last season when we had a lot of injuries at this stage, now we have pretty much a full squad and hopefully everybody is going to be pushing each other to get minutes and to be playing games, so it should just lift the standard of the team even more.”
That was certainly something the 9,000-plus Hatters inside a packed Kenilworth Road did, too.
“It was amazing,” said Osho. “I think that’s as loud as I’ve ever witnessed it. So yes, just speechless really and just happy to have been a part of it, and to get the win.”