Ten-man Tottenham Hotspur maintained their unbeaten record as a narrow win at Luton saw them go top of the Premier League.

Luton, who had made it through a difficult opening period, saw captain Tom Lockyer’s low header chalked off when Elijah Adebayo was deemed to have fouled Cristian Romero as he headed Mads Andersen’s free-kick across goal.

A more positive approach in the second half saw them create plenty of opportunities but Tottenham held on to leave Rob Edwards’ side without a win at home this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games and sit two points ahead of Manchester City, who face Arsenal on Sunday.

Spurs continue unbeaten run

Remarkably, the home side made it through the opening 20 minutes without conceding after Spurs had peppered the Luton goal.

Richarlison twice had opportunities in the opening five minutes, but poked his first effort from Maddison’s whipped cross over the bar before seeing a low drive saved by the boot of Thomas Kaminski in the Luton goal.

Pedro Porro then struck a shot wide and a poor Tom Lockyer clearance was snatched at by Son Heung-min.

Bissouma had already ensured he would miss Spurs’ next game by picking up a fifth booking of the season for dragging down Chiedozie Ogbene.

But the midfielder, who has had an impressive start to the campaign, then picked up a second yellow for diving on the edge of the Luton area.

After taking the lead in the second half, Postecogolou’s side barely created any further chances, and took off the attacking threat of Son Heung-min and Maddison in favour of the more defensive options Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royal.

But under the Australian manager Spurs have shown resolve and belief, and more of that was on display on Saturday as they got the job done against 17th-placed Luton.

Should the match between Manchester City and Arsenal result in a draw or a City defeat on Sunday, Spurs will go into the international break top of the league.

Luton remain winless at Kenilworth Road

Edwards’ Luton have managed just four points in eight games so far this season.

After a dominant opening period from the visitors, which saw Luton make just 11 passes, the home side began to make the one-sided affair more of a contest but could not manage a shot on target until their 40th-minute disallowed goal.

With a one-man advantage after the break they missed a glorious opportunity when Ogbene’s measured pass seemed to have teed up Adebayo, who only had to slide in and connect for a tap-in, but could not sort his feet out and muddled it past the post.

Alfie Doughty also scuffed a good opportunity wide and Carlton Morris was denied by the arm of Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario as Luton probed for an equaliser.

The Hatters had scored a late goal before eventually losing to Burnley last time out but could not make any of their chances count and looked sapped of energy by the final stages.

Player of the match

RomeroCristian Romero

Luton Town

1. Squad number24Player nameKaminski

2. Squad number4Player nameLockyer

3. Squad number45Player nameDoughty

4. Squad number5Player nameAndersen

5. Squad number9Player nameMorris

6. Squad number16Player nameBurke

7. Squad number19Player nameBrown

8. Squad number14Player nameChong

9. Squad number7Player nameOgbene

10. Squad number13Player nameNakamba

11. Squad number17Player nameMpanzu

12. Squad number10Player nameWoodrow

13. Squad number15Player nameMengi

14. Squad number8Player nameBerry

15. Squad number11Player nameAdebayo

16. Squad number6Player nameBarkley