Luton on brink of relegation after West Ham beat David Moyes in style | first division

At the end, a dejected Rob Edwards stood in front of the traveling fans and watched them sing their hearts out. Luton knew that his relegation was all but confirmed after this defeat to West Ham, but no one could dent his pride.

There is no shame in their inability to close the huge financial gap since last season's promotion. They have given everything and it is impossible to find fault with Edwards' management. The only real conclusion is that it would have been a remarkable achievement if Luton, whose inferior goal difference means their chances of catching Nottingham Forest are almost non-existent, had managed to stay up given their lack of elite quality.

“I'm an emotional person and walking up to our fans and seeing their reaction made me cry,” Edwards said. “I feel devastated, I didn't want to let anyone down and I feel responsible. I thanked the players and staff, they have given me the best 18 months of my life.

“We have been on this incredible journey. We didn't descend for today. We had a difficult period for eight to ten weeks where we were missing players. I don't want to make excuses. In the end this league has been too much.”

It said a lot that West Ham did not have to be at their best to ensure David Moyes won his last game in the home dugout at the London Stadium. They had worked hard before James Ward-Prowse's equaliser. Luton had taken an early lead but crumbled after being trapped early in the second half. Tomas Soucek, a Moyes stalwart and one of the Scot's best signings, soon made it 2-1 with a fine goal and George Earthy, one of West Ham's most interesting youngsters, sealed the points with his first senior goal.

“It was a great way to finish here,” Moyes said. “A positive note, a young player scoring and a good result for us. He was excited. I've been here four and a half years. Sometimes all you hear is negative things. It seems like most of the 50,000 followers stayed to show their appreciation.”

The atmosphere was relaxed throughout the closing stages, and the win confirmed West Ham's third first-half place finish in four years. That being said, it is worth noting that his performance during the first half showed why they are Replacing Moyes with Julen Lopetegui.. The attack was plodding, the midfield was a cavernous hole and an immobile defense was pierced when Albert Sambi Lokonga headed Alfie Doughty's cross past Alphonse Areola after six minutes of Luton dominance.

Where was the mark? Or the pressure on the one who crosses? No one shut down Ross Barkley when he started the movement by finding Elijah Adebayo. West Ham were too open and slow to respond to concede their 71st league goal of the campaign. The best they got before the break were deflected shots from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. Moyes expected the boos that greeted the half-time whistle.

However, the coach provoked a reaction from his players. Luton, who have won one of their last 16 games, faded after a limping Barkley made way for Jordan Clark. As poor as they were, it always looked like West Ham wouldn't have to raise their level too much to wear down Luton.

This was demonstrated when Bowen ran down the right and sent a cross into the six-yard box in the 54th minute. Thomas Kaminski saved with his feet but the ball hit Reece Burke and he ran towards Ward-Prowse, who scored with a poisonous low shot.

Luton's body language was telling. His shoulders were slumped and soon they were dragging. Michail Antonio, Bowen and Emerson Palmieri all missed opportunities before a clearance fell to Soucek, who volleyed emphatically past Kaminski from 20 yards.

There were no signs of return. West Ham went ahead and Kudus were short a sitter. The Luton race was run. Kudus beat Doughty, slid to the baseline and made a cutback. Earthy, who had just replaced Antonio, was waiting to apply the shot. The 19-year-old had not played since he suffered a horrific head injury on his debut against Fulham last month. He will have better memories of this cameo.