'Champions League? You're having a laugh'

This was the chant of the Addickted as Charlton recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over third placed Everton at The Valley on Bank Holiday Tuesday. The Addicks more than contained the threat of the Toffeemen in the first half. Indeed, Deano had relatively little to do for most of the match. In the second half, Charlton became more dominant and two goals from defender/strikers Talal El Karkouri and Hermann Hreidarsson sealed the points for the home side. At the end of the first half, Everton keeper Nigel Martyn had to give way to Richard Wright, the man with a great future behind him. In the second half former Bairlinnie inmate Duncan Ferguson was red carded for giving Hreidarsson an elbow in the face.

The match got off to a relatively quiet start with both sides trying to get the measure of each other. Bartlett won a corner after three minutes, but Murphy's effort was poor. Perhaps there should be some alternation of corner takers. Thomas made a break down the left, but was fouled and Charlton were unable to make anything of the free kick.

Fortune put in a long angled ball to Thomas, but it all ended in an Everton throw in. A real battle was developing in midfield and Matt Holland made an error that could have been costly. With the East Stand lino adopting his own interpretation of the offside rule, Everton were able to put in a fierce shot which Deano deflected for a corner for the visitors.

A spell of Charlton pressure in which Thomas was prominent led to nothing more than Bartlett putting the ball over the bar. Matt Holland, who seemed to be having a bit of an off day, put a useless ball into a space empty of any players. A promising Charlton free kick was wasted by being played sideways. Good work by Kishishev opened up an opportunity, but Bartlett's cross was poor. Having excelled, Kishishev then managed to play Deano into danger.

Just before half time, Martyn threw the ball out, having suffered a calf injury. His replacement by Richard Wright, who provided an excellent own goal for the Addicks in their 4-2 win at Highbury, boosted the morale of the Addickted. The 38-year Cornish keeper received generous applause from the Addickted as he left the pitch.

Half time: Addicks 0, Toffees 0

There were a few signs of nervousness by the Addicks immediately after the break, but Rommedahl won Charlton a corner which led to a free kick for Everton. Charlton then won another corner from which Everton made a dangerous break but this was well defended. Bartlett made an attempt on goal from distance which Wright had to block. A great run by Luke Young down the wing won Charlton a corner. The ball was played out and then Thomas put in an effort which was not far over.

Charlton were in real danger following an Everton corner. A corner from Gravesen went over the head of popular ex-Millwall player Cahill, but Matt Holland, continuing his off day, managed to chest the ball towards his own goal. Deano did not seem to be in command of the situation and a clearance by El Karkouri bounced off the Herminator and back towards the goal. Eventually the ball was cleared off the line.

Rommedahl put in a superb long angled free kick to Thomas, but for some reason a free kick was given to Everton when I thought it should have gone Charlton's way. A shot from Kishishev troubled Wright who had to dive to his left to deal with it. Jerome Thomas was replaced on 70 minutes by Euell, the view in the crowd being thatr Rommedahl should have been taken off, but perhaps Thomas was showing signs of tiring. Bent was removed in favour of Ferguson on 74 minutes.

With fifteen minutes of play left, Charlton won a corner which was taken short. It was followed by a second which was poor, but the Herminator managed to get a shot in.
On 79 minutes Konchesky came on in place of Rommedahl. Luke Young advanced on goal but shot with his left foot and his effort went over.

On 82 minutes Alan Stubbs conceded a corner with a strange miskick. Konchesky sent the ball back to the far post from where El Karkouri was able to deliver a bullet header to make it 1-0.

A minute later Ferguson elbowed the Herminator in the face and referee Reilly showed not a moment's hesitation in displaying the red card. The latest issue of 4-4-2 includes Duncan Disorderly in its list of one hundred all time football nutters. The story claims that the charm merchant once walloped a man on crutches who was waiting in a taxi queue, but it was putting the heed on Raith's John McStay that earned him a three month stretch in Barlinnie. The suspension should allow him more time with his pigeons, although when he moved to Newcastle, he couldn't understand why they didn't return when he released them.

Everton fans were already streaming out when the Herminator put the match beyond doubt. Konchesky won Charlton a corner, Wright could only punch the ball out and the Herminator was on hand, unusually scoring with a half volley to make it 2-0.

Everton are an efficient and well organised side and manager Moyes had done a good job to get them where they are. But they are no Chelsea or Arsenal and the real test for the revived Addicks awaits on New Year's Day.

Match analysis

This was a real team effort and match analyst Hooch the Pooch had to take the unusual step of phoning a friend, ringing his No.2 Homer the Cherry Hound to seek his opinion. After the press room had been subjected to a cacophany of barking, the award went to Talal El Karkouri for his well taken vital goal which made him joint top scorer for the Addicks and for his stalwart contributions in defence throughout the game. Deano had little to do, but was generally in command of his goal, apart from perhaps one moment. Fortune had some uncertain moments, creating dangerous situations now and then. Hreidarsson was generally impressive apart from his goal, but some of his moves with Thomas did not come off, the ball going out of play for Everton throw ins. Luke Young had a superb game, posing a real threat down the wings. The improving Kishishev impressed in a role which seems to give him the licence to range all over the pitch, making only one error. Holland was not involved that much but what he did he did well. (I wrote this before reading back through my notes which suggested he had a bit of a 'mare). Murphy is an increasingly commanding presence in midfield. Rommedahl was something of a disappointment. His pace allows him to create something out of nothing, but his crosses lack accuracy. Thomas had another good game. Bartlett never came close to scoring, but provided some vital crosses and was a key player in defence. He covers a lot of the pitch and often draws two defenders on to him, often creating opportunities for others. However, as is clear from his comments in the programme, he is not really happy in a lone striker role. He really needs someone to play with. Euell showed lots of commitment and enthusiasm, but didn't make much of a difference. Konchesky put in his usual effective performance, providing a key cross.

Hiss of the Match Juneau the Soccer Cat had no hesitation in selecting the vertically challenged East Stand lino who had a very poor understanding of the offside rule and also had difficulty in distinguishing between a corner and a goal kick.

Crowd rating The Addickted were in good form, really getting behind the team. Let's hope that the El Karkouri 'hokey cokey' chant catches on. 9/10