Luton's Premier League debut at Gallowgate proved to be an enthralling one on Saturday; playing their part in one of the most unforgettable games there in living memory.   

For only the second time in 1,095 Premier League fixtures, United and their opponents shared eight goals - coming from behind as they had against Arsenal on Tyneside almost thirteen years to the day to gain a point - and ending up agonisingly close to grabbing all three.

Missing Friday's press call due to illness, Eddie Howe was in the dugout but could have been forgiven for checking the side-effects of his medication by full time after what unfolded before his eyes.

Ahead early on through Sean Longstaff's first-time shot, the Hatters soon levelled through Gabriel Osho's header - only for Longstaff to almost instantly restore his side's advantage, firing in the rebound after Anthony Gordon's initial shot was beaten out by Thomas Kaminski.

Having his usual good game here, Ross Barkley scored a carbon copy of Longstaff's second before half time to tie the match at 2-2, with the prospect of further goals given the open nature of the contest; this had all the hallmarks of a "we're gonna score one more than you" thrill fest. 

Gordon had looked in discomfort leaving the field at the interval and failed to return; fit-again Callum Wilson taking his place and full of running as Newcastle looked to regain the lead for a third time. 

Dan Burn's foul on Ogbene just before the hour was indicated by the linesman nearby to have taken place outside the box, but the intervention of VAR belatedly saw the free kick upgraded to a penalty that Carlton Morris twice placed identically past Martin Dubravka - the first effort ruled out for taking it too early.

Within three minutes the visitors had opened up a two goal lead after a breakaway goal reminiscent of AC Milan's winner at the same end was scored by Elijah Adebayo - his fourth in four days and Luton's eighth. 

Having seen his side turn 1-0 and 2-1 advantages into a 2-4 deficit, Howe heeded the shouts from the crowd and replaced the ailing Burn with Tino Livramento - Harvey Barnes also making a welcome return after missing 26 league and cup fixtures with a foot injury.

Within five minutes the difference between the sides was back to one goal as Kieran Trippier hooked in from close range. And by the 73rd minute it was 4-4 after Barnes found the bottom corner of the goal with a left footer from just outside the box at the Gallowgate End. 

The remaining 17 minutes of normal time plus what ultimately became 11 more added on seemed to pass by in a flash; chances at both ends and what seemed to be an inevitable home winner just never ending up in the back of the Luton net. 

Barnes twice saw goalbound efforts deflected and after some wizardry from Bruno on the right, Jacob Murphy somehow failed to make reach a speeding ball from roughly where he forced a goal at Villa.  

What was at times admirable vision, potency and mobility on other occasions was lightweight, offering flimsy protection to a defence lacking pace when the preferred senior quartet are all in situ. The back four today were mainly responsible for last season's home shutout of over five hours, but personnel changes in front and behind have changed. 

The bare facts are that United have conceded ten goals in three home games but scored seven; managing to avert what would have been a third successive home league defeat for the first time in Howe's reign here. That's hardly a crisis but deeply concerning. 

Given the largesse of the referee, had Joelinton been available today we'd have won and several of the Luton players would have needed helping on to the bus. As it was though, he won't feature again this season and with the transfer window now closed we need to address the issue of solidity in central midfield from within. The inevitable suspension of Bruno remains a massive headache.

The return of Callum Wilson offset the absence of Alexander Isak, but although Bruno and Gordon both avoided bookings the latter left the stadium wearing a protective boot; yet another fitness worry just as Harvey Barnes has become available. 

Far beyond those statistics though is an irresistible spectacle after a typical week in our history. Logic suggested that a total of four points from a trip to Villa and the visit of Luton would have come via a draw on the road and a win on home soil. We aren't logical.

Biffa