Scott Parker's first match as Burnley manager was one to savour as fellow Premier League cast-offs Luton were well beaten on their own turf.
First-half goals from captain Josh Brownhill and Wilson Odobert plus two more after the break from Dara O’Shea and Vitinho made it a satisfying debut for Vincent Kompany’s replacement.
Luton have not beaten Burnley for 24 years and Rob Edwards’ side only briefly looked like stopping that run when Tahith Chong pulled one back to make it 2-1 early in the second half.
‘It’s a big result and we looked every bit a good side,’ said Parker. ‘I’m extremely proud — when the going got tough I saw a group of men.’
Brownhill fired his side ahead in the sixth minute after Lucas Pires set him up to strike a low drive through the legs of Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
Scott Parker led Burnley to a winning return to the Championship against Luton on Monday
Kaminski was exposed again in the 37th minute as Burnley doubled their lead. Connor Roberts supplied a long ball and Odobert out-paced teenager Joe Johnson to slot home.
Luton halved the deficit after 55 minutes when Alfie Doughty headed across the box from Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross and it fell perfectly for Chong to lash in.
But centre back O’Shea crushed any hopes of a comeback in the 72nd minute with a glancing header from a corner, before Vitinho lashed home a fourth in the 80th minute after Lyle Foster sprinted through to set him up.
‘I have got to put emotions aside and look at the bigger picture,’ said Edwards. ‘There were some good things but ultimately, with their quality, they punished us.’