Easy, Easy
The Addicks have not won at Boro since 1954 but the strength of the current Charlton side was demonstrated by a convincing and well deserved 3-0 victory at The Riverside that propelled the club into 3rd place in the Premiership with a game in hand.
Boro fans have been complaining how dire their side was, but nothing should be taken away from Charlton. Indeed, Boro started quite brightly, writes Erith Addick Paul May and looked at least an approximation of the side that defeated Birmingham 3-0. Now it was their turn to suffer a similar loss at home.
Boro came their closest to scoring early on. Yakubu just failed to meet a cross from Parlour and then Stewart Downing, always a potential threat, put in a good bouncing cross but Yakubu headed over. Downing himself shot over after some good work from Reiziger.
However, Charlton always looked threatening on the break with Rommedahl causing serious problems for the home side. He was getting past Queudrue without too many problems on the right and Southgate had to clear a dangerous cross.
Bent, always looking for a goal scoring opportunity, tried to make something of a half chance. Then Bent fed Murphy, who was on sparkling form, and he put in an excellent through ball to Rommedahl. The Dane put in a left footed shot that went past Schwarzer and into the back of the net after 38 minutes to put the Addicks ahead.
Charlton often look at their shakiest when they have just scored and two minutes after their opener what was really a poor cross from Queudrue provoked a scramble in the goalmouth with the alert Luke Young having to clear off the line.
Yakubu then got hold of the ball inside the area and turned provider for Morrison who drew a fine diving save from Andersen who has only conceded one goal in his spell as Charlton custodian.
Half time: Boro 0, Addicks 1
After the break Boro pulled off Qeuedrue, who could not face up to any more of Rommedahl. Deciding that a player from one small European country might be countered by another, they brought on Austrian international Emanuel Pogatetz in his debut for the club. However, it did little to help Boro take control of the match with the Addicks still very much in the driving seat. They also brought on Mendieta who was only to last 14 minutes and was slow to take advantage of a dropping ball. Danny Murphy put a free kick just wide.
Viduka seized a chance forcing Andersen to save and Bent put an effort just wide. Pogatetz had an effort from a corner cleared off the line by Smertin. A shot from substitute Maccarone from the edge of the box gave Andersen some trouble and he initially parried the ball before getting hold of it at the second attempt. However, the home fans were get increasingly restive at the failure of the game to go according to the script and started to make their feelings known.
Thomas was replaced by Bartlett on 78 minutes. On 81 minutes Chris Perry showed the instincts of a striker when he side footed a low free kick from the right from Murphy to make it 0-2. Many of the home fans decided that they had better places to be. Hughes came on for Smertin on 83 with Spector left warming the bench.
Boro went in search of a consolation but in time added on they were caught on the break. Bent, who one might have thought had run himself into the ground, doing his bit in defence when needed, ran clear and smashed the ball home with his usual control to make it 0-3 to the Addicks.
Charlton can go into the two week break in confident mood. The wins against the promoted sides could be written off by the media, although the points still have to be won. This was a real test and the Addicks came through with flying colours.
Boro fans have been complaining how dire their side was, but nothing should be taken away from Charlton. Indeed, Boro started quite brightly, writes Erith Addick Paul May and looked at least an approximation of the side that defeated Birmingham 3-0. Now it was their turn to suffer a similar loss at home.
Boro came their closest to scoring early on. Yakubu just failed to meet a cross from Parlour and then Stewart Downing, always a potential threat, put in a good bouncing cross but Yakubu headed over. Downing himself shot over after some good work from Reiziger.
However, Charlton always looked threatening on the break with Rommedahl causing serious problems for the home side. He was getting past Queudrue without too many problems on the right and Southgate had to clear a dangerous cross.
Bent, always looking for a goal scoring opportunity, tried to make something of a half chance. Then Bent fed Murphy, who was on sparkling form, and he put in an excellent through ball to Rommedahl. The Dane put in a left footed shot that went past Schwarzer and into the back of the net after 38 minutes to put the Addicks ahead.
Charlton often look at their shakiest when they have just scored and two minutes after their opener what was really a poor cross from Queudrue provoked a scramble in the goalmouth with the alert Luke Young having to clear off the line.
Yakubu then got hold of the ball inside the area and turned provider for Morrison who drew a fine diving save from Andersen who has only conceded one goal in his spell as Charlton custodian.
Half time: Boro 0, Addicks 1
After the break Boro pulled off Qeuedrue, who could not face up to any more of Rommedahl. Deciding that a player from one small European country might be countered by another, they brought on Austrian international Emanuel Pogatetz in his debut for the club. However, it did little to help Boro take control of the match with the Addicks still very much in the driving seat. They also brought on Mendieta who was only to last 14 minutes and was slow to take advantage of a dropping ball. Danny Murphy put a free kick just wide.
Viduka seized a chance forcing Andersen to save and Bent put an effort just wide. Pogatetz had an effort from a corner cleared off the line by Smertin. A shot from substitute Maccarone from the edge of the box gave Andersen some trouble and he initially parried the ball before getting hold of it at the second attempt. However, the home fans were get increasingly restive at the failure of the game to go according to the script and started to make their feelings known.
Thomas was replaced by Bartlett on 78 minutes. On 81 minutes Chris Perry showed the instincts of a striker when he side footed a low free kick from the right from Murphy to make it 0-2. Many of the home fans decided that they had better places to be. Hughes came on for Smertin on 83 with Spector left warming the bench.
Boro went in search of a consolation but in time added on they were caught on the break. Bent, who one might have thought had run himself into the ground, doing his bit in defence when needed, ran clear and smashed the ball home with his usual control to make it 0-3 to the Addicks.
Charlton can go into the two week break in confident mood. The wins against the promoted sides could be written off by the media, although the points still have to be won. This was a real test and the Addicks came through with flying colours.
posted by Wyn Grant at 6:26 PM
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