Luton captain Tom Lockyer is alert and responsive in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest and collapsing on the field during the English Premier League match at Bournemouth.

The 29-year-old received about seven minutes of treatment on the field on Saturday amid alarming scenes as fans at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium looked on with concern.

The game was abandoned soon after he was carried away on a stretcher, by which time he was responsive.

The score was 1-1 at the time and referee Simon Hooper made the decision to abandon the game, with the clock having stopped in the 65th minute.

“Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher,” Luton said in a statement.

Tom Lockyer in action against Bournemouth before collapsing on the field. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

“He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides. Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks.”

The Wales international defender dropped to the ground untouched in the 59th minute, with players from both sides immediately calling for help and Luton manager Rob Edwards entering the field, looking distressed.

Fans stayed behind at the Vitality Stadium to chanted the name of Lockyer.

The same player had also collapsed during the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May with an atrial fibrillation. He underwent heart surgery and was given the all-clear during the off-season to continue playing.

There was a very different kind of drama at Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City threw away a two-goal lead, drawing with Crystal Palace 2-2 and dropping two more points in their increasingly unconvincing title defence.

The equaliser came in the fifth minute of stoppage time via a penalty from Michael Olise as City drew a third straight home game. The champions have now won just one of their last six league games.

City were 2-0 ahead through goals by Jack Grealish in the 24th minute and Rico Lewis in the 54th. 

Jean-Philippe Mateta reduced the deficit for Palace in the 76th but Phil Foden then tripped Mateta to give Olise the opportunity to grab a point for Palace, who had lost six of their previous eight league matches.

Pep Guardiola’s team now head to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup and don’t play again in the Premier League until December 27. 

Liverpool, in first place three points ahead of fourth-placed City, have three games in that period, starting at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

Fatigued, hindered by a slew of injuries and hurting after a Champions League exit, Newcastle weren’t in a good place ahead of the visit of a Fulham team coming off back-to-back 5-0 wins.

But the Saudi-owned north-east team were given a helping hand with a red card to Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the 22nd minute, and they went on to win 3-0.

Lewis Miley, a 17-year-old midfielder, broke the deadlock before goals from Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn. 

Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-0 thanks to goals by Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, and a rejuvenated Everton under Sean Dyche won at his old club Burnley by the same scoreline with goals from Amadou Onana and Michael Keane.

© AAP

By admin