A Premier League XI of newbie heroes as Luton look for a legend v Brighton | OneFootball

Sergi Canos scores Brentford's first Premier League goal

Luton Town suffered relegation from the top flight in 1992, just before the rebranding of the English First Division into the Premier League.

This year will finally mark their return to the elite as the Hatters become the latest club to feature in the competition. Pretty much everyone is predicting them to go straight back down, so they’ll be looking for a good start to prove the doubters wrong.

Here’s an XI made up from players who helped a Premier League newbie secure a positive result in their debut fixture.

Goalkeeper: Tony Coton The start of the 1996/97 season marked Sunderland’s maiden Premier League game, with fellow promoted side Leicester City the opponents after the Foxes returned to the top flight at the first attempt following their relegation in ’95. Former Manchester City goalkeeper Tony Coton made his debut for Peter Reid’s men at Roker Park and made a vital save from Emile Heskey to keep a clean sheet and secure a point for the home side.

If you fancy a goalkeeper challenge, try naming the ‘keeper Coton replaced at Sunderland, who went on to win promotion to the Premier League with Watford in ’98.

Centre-back: Danny Mills Ex Leeds and Manchester City defender Danny Mills gets in the side for his part in Charlton Athletic’s first ever Premier League fixture, with the Addicks picking up an unlikely point against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Mills made a goal-line clearance as Alan Curbishley’s side held on for a 0-0 draw after going down to ten men following Richard Rufus’ dismissal for an elbow on Nikos Dabizas.

Centre-back: Alex Baptiste Blackpool’s return to the top flight in 2010 after 39 years was marked with a thumping 4-0 win over Wigan, with the Tangerines three up at the interval, leaving the away support in dreamland. Alex Baptiste scored another 15 minutes from time to put Ian Holloway’s side second in the Premier League table but a reality check was in store a week later, with a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal undoing the positive goal difference.

Centre-back: David Wetherall Blackpool’s four-decade-long absence was nothing compared to Bradford City’s lengthy spell away, with the 1999/2000 campaign their first in the top flight since Stanley Matthews was a boy. That 77-year wait was ended with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Middlesbrough that included a goal-line clearance from David Wetherall to help secure the Bantams all three points. Wetherall went on to ensure Premier League survival for the club in the last game of the season, heading in the only goal of the game against Liverpool.

Right wing: Sergi Canos Brentford’s Premier League story has been a happy one so far and began two years ago with a shock 2-0 victory over Arsenal. Spanish winger Sergi Canos opened the scoring, becoming the first Bees player to find the back of the net in the top flight since Len Townsend back in 1947. Christian Norgaard sealed the win in the second half to give the home fans a day to remember and summon justified hopes of survival.

Central midfield: Steve Sidwell Reading’s promotion from the Championship in 2006 saw the Royals make not just their Premier League debut but also their first ever appearance in the top flight of English football. It proved to be an incredible introduction to the elite, with a top-half finish secured come May ’07. The season started with a dramatic 3-2 win against Middlesbrough, all after going 2-0 down. Steve Sidwell was amongst the scorers and his performances throughout the campaign convinced Chelsea to sign him.

Central midfield: Geovanni Two years after Reading played in the top tier for the first time, Hull City repeated the trick after winning the 2008 Championship Play-Off Final. Promotion saw the arrival of one-time Brazil international Geovanni, who went on to score the Tigers’ first ever Premier League goal in a 2-1 triumph over Fulham at the KC Stadium. It proved to be a valuable win as Phi Brown’s side went on to finish in 17th and a point clear of relegation.

Left wing: Patrik Berger The 2003/04 season marked debuts in the Premier League for two former First Division champions, in the shape of Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pompey would go on to survive, with a mid-table finish secured come May following a good start to the campaign that included an opening day 2-1 win over Aston Villa that saw Czech winner Patrik Berger bag the decisive goal. Wolves lost their first game 5-1 and went on to finish rock bottom.

Forward: Dean Sturridge The 1996/97 season saw Derby County play at their iconic Baseball Ground for the last time and Jim Smith’s men made sure it was one to remember for the fans as they maintained their top-flight status in their maiden Premier League campaign. A thrilling opening day 3-3 draw with Leeds saw five goals in the last 20 minutes, with the Rams coming back from 2-0 down. Dean Sturridge scored twice, including the all-important equaliser just before full-time.

Forward: Steve Mounie Manchester City fans can now brag about winning three top-flight titles on the trot but Huddersfield Town achieved it a century ago, the first English club to do so. However, come 2017 the Terriers had been absent from the elite for 45 years, but a penalty shootout win over Reading in the plays-offs that year saw them make a long-awaited return. A 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in their Premier League debut seemed apt and included a brace from new forward Steve Mounie.

Forward: Alan Shearer Back in 1992, Jack Walker’s financial backing ensured Blackburn Rovers made a return to the top flight for the first time since England lifted the World Cup, but the Ewood Park supremo wasn’t going to settle for making the numbers up. Walker secured the signing of young England striker Alan Shearer for a British record fee and their new star man found the back of the net twice as Rovers picked up a point in their Premier League debut after a gripping match against Crystal Palace ended in a 3-3 draw.