Darren Bent-Bent-Bent!
That was the chant of the Addickted after the striker put Charlton 1-0 against Birmingham City in the 14th minute, a score they held on to take all three points. As Rick Everitt said to me at half time, when was the last time a new Charlton player scored in all his four opening matches?
Charlton had a fortunate escape when, not so long after they had gone ahead, Stephan Andersen handled outside the area but got away with a yellow card. Charlton were under the cosh in the second half and lost their shape a bit, but the rain soaked pitch did not help their passing game.
The win put Charlton second in the game after Chelsea with a game in hand over the leaders. Chelsea visit The Valley next Saturday and when he was asked on Radio 5 if it would be a test for the 'new' Charlton, Curbs replied that it could be a test for Chelsea.
Having driven to the game with Brian Cole, some scallywags approached and asked us to look after the car. We then covered up our colours for the short walk to the ground.
The game started relatively quietly, although the Blues looked as if they could be a threat down the wing with good defensive work being called from by the Herminator. Heskey was taken off early for Pandiani, presumably because of an injury. A Blues free kick was caught comfortably by Andersen.
Then Jerome Thomas put in an excellent high cross and a seemingly unmarked Bent was there to put the ball in the net.
With the rain soaked ground very slippery, and some misunderstanding between Andersen and Powell, the keeper handled outside the area. In accordance with the rules, I expected Halsey to show a red card, but the colour was yellow. The free kick went across the face of goal, but Jarosik blasted the ball over. Blues were given a free kick about thirty yards out in a potentially dangerous position, but it came off the Charlton wall.
Birmingham won a corner but Pennant's effort was cleared at the expense of the throw in. A threatening shot was saved by Andersen with the palm of his hand and the corner was cleared. Charlton won a corner but it was caught by Taylor. A Blues corner was cleared, but Halsey awarded the home side a very dubious free kick.
As Blues advanced, Luke Young made a great tackle. Kishishev cleared a Birmingham corner. An excellent Charlton build up saw Rommedahl turn provider for Murphy, but his effort went over.
Half time: Blues 0, Addicks 1
Blues made a substitution immediately after the break with Melchiot being replaced by Julian Gray. They showed a renewed determination to seek a rare home win, winning a corner within a minute of the kick off. This was only partially cleared and Andersen had to make an authoritative punch out of the ball. Blues supporters thought they had scored when the ball went into the side netting.
With Birmingham piling on the pressure, Rommedhal was pulled off and replaced by Bartlett, offering a combination of something extra up front and the ability to defend at corners, with the Blues winning a succession of them. As the home side threatened, Kishishev made an important clearance. The Blues did not seem very accurate with many of their shots with Jarosik missing an opportunity by putting the ball wide.
Chris Perry put in a vigorous tackle and there was little dispute about the yellow card he received. The hapless Jarosik was taken off and replaced by Butt.
Charlton received a rare free kick and from my vantage point a few rows behind the touchline, it ran along the line but did not go out. Chris Powell rushed to retrieve it from near the corner flag, but Halsey was giving all marginal decisions to the home side and waved for a goal kick.
Bartlett managed to forge through on his own with two defenders in attendance, but was harshly judged to be offside. Thomas was taken off and replaced by the more experienced Hughes. The Blues were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the area, but their effort went over the bar.
Murphy turned provider for Bent and the striker won a Charlton corner. The Herminator connected with the ball and won Charlton a second corner. Darren Bent then made a great run which at least took the pressure off the other end. At least ten minutes before the end, considerable numbers of Blues started to leave.
Two Birmingham free kicks and three corners created a dangerous situation as the match went into two minutes of time added on and Smertin, who had taken a knock, was pulled off in favour of Fortune. Andersen had to make one more save, but the Addicks stood firm and all three points were theirs.
Match analysis
Match analyst Hooch the Pooch has taken the unusual step of awarding the Silver Bone to Alan Curbishley for setting up a good game plan and making the right substitutions at the right time.
Stephan Andersen has kept a clean sheet in three of the four matches in which he has played. He stood strong against the Birmingham onsluaght in the second half. Sometimes he could have rolled the ball out instead of kicking it down the pitch and allowing the Blues to win it back. Chris Perry was a model of solidity and will be difficult to dislodge from the team. Hermann Hreidarsson also performed well in his centre back role, making use of his height and his head to clear some threatening balls. England's No.2 Luke Young had a confident performance on the right. Chris Powell displayed his usual enthusiasm and skill, forging forward when the opportunity presented itself, although perhaps he tired a little towards the end of the game. Kishishev performed well in his role in the engine room of the midfield, putting together some neat and competent passes and also undertaking a defensive role when required, although he did make a couple of errors. Thomas showed some moments of skill. Rommedahl made good use of his pace to torment the Birmingham defence. Murphy made an important contribution to controlling the midfield and had some good runs forward. Bent took his goal well and did his best to get another one. Bartlett was that involved when he came on, but added some solidity to the performance. Hughes was competent without being prominent. Fortune had a cameo role and must wonder what the future holds for him at the club.
Hiss of the Match It was the men in yellow rather than the men in black, and although the linos made some baffling decision, the main award must go to Mark Halsey. Having let Andersen off, he seemed to want to even things up for Birmingham by giving them a free kick at every opportunity and denying valid Charlton calls.
Crowd rating About 1,200 Addickted turned up and they were in strong voice, with Pennant being a particular target, although the misfortunes of Palace and Millwall were also celebrated. 7/10.
Charlton had a fortunate escape when, not so long after they had gone ahead, Stephan Andersen handled outside the area but got away with a yellow card. Charlton were under the cosh in the second half and lost their shape a bit, but the rain soaked pitch did not help their passing game.
The win put Charlton second in the game after Chelsea with a game in hand over the leaders. Chelsea visit The Valley next Saturday and when he was asked on Radio 5 if it would be a test for the 'new' Charlton, Curbs replied that it could be a test for Chelsea.
Having driven to the game with Brian Cole, some scallywags approached and asked us to look after the car. We then covered up our colours for the short walk to the ground.
The game started relatively quietly, although the Blues looked as if they could be a threat down the wing with good defensive work being called from by the Herminator. Heskey was taken off early for Pandiani, presumably because of an injury. A Blues free kick was caught comfortably by Andersen.
Then Jerome Thomas put in an excellent high cross and a seemingly unmarked Bent was there to put the ball in the net.
With the rain soaked ground very slippery, and some misunderstanding between Andersen and Powell, the keeper handled outside the area. In accordance with the rules, I expected Halsey to show a red card, but the colour was yellow. The free kick went across the face of goal, but Jarosik blasted the ball over. Blues were given a free kick about thirty yards out in a potentially dangerous position, but it came off the Charlton wall.
Birmingham won a corner but Pennant's effort was cleared at the expense of the throw in. A threatening shot was saved by Andersen with the palm of his hand and the corner was cleared. Charlton won a corner but it was caught by Taylor. A Blues corner was cleared, but Halsey awarded the home side a very dubious free kick.
As Blues advanced, Luke Young made a great tackle. Kishishev cleared a Birmingham corner. An excellent Charlton build up saw Rommedahl turn provider for Murphy, but his effort went over.
Half time: Blues 0, Addicks 1
Blues made a substitution immediately after the break with Melchiot being replaced by Julian Gray. They showed a renewed determination to seek a rare home win, winning a corner within a minute of the kick off. This was only partially cleared and Andersen had to make an authoritative punch out of the ball. Blues supporters thought they had scored when the ball went into the side netting.
With Birmingham piling on the pressure, Rommedhal was pulled off and replaced by Bartlett, offering a combination of something extra up front and the ability to defend at corners, with the Blues winning a succession of them. As the home side threatened, Kishishev made an important clearance. The Blues did not seem very accurate with many of their shots with Jarosik missing an opportunity by putting the ball wide.
Chris Perry put in a vigorous tackle and there was little dispute about the yellow card he received. The hapless Jarosik was taken off and replaced by Butt.
Charlton received a rare free kick and from my vantage point a few rows behind the touchline, it ran along the line but did not go out. Chris Powell rushed to retrieve it from near the corner flag, but Halsey was giving all marginal decisions to the home side and waved for a goal kick.
Bartlett managed to forge through on his own with two defenders in attendance, but was harshly judged to be offside. Thomas was taken off and replaced by the more experienced Hughes. The Blues were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the area, but their effort went over the bar.
Murphy turned provider for Bent and the striker won a Charlton corner. The Herminator connected with the ball and won Charlton a second corner. Darren Bent then made a great run which at least took the pressure off the other end. At least ten minutes before the end, considerable numbers of Blues started to leave.
Two Birmingham free kicks and three corners created a dangerous situation as the match went into two minutes of time added on and Smertin, who had taken a knock, was pulled off in favour of Fortune. Andersen had to make one more save, but the Addicks stood firm and all three points were theirs.
Match analysis
Match analyst Hooch the Pooch has taken the unusual step of awarding the Silver Bone to Alan Curbishley for setting up a good game plan and making the right substitutions at the right time.
Stephan Andersen has kept a clean sheet in three of the four matches in which he has played. He stood strong against the Birmingham onsluaght in the second half. Sometimes he could have rolled the ball out instead of kicking it down the pitch and allowing the Blues to win it back. Chris Perry was a model of solidity and will be difficult to dislodge from the team. Hermann Hreidarsson also performed well in his centre back role, making use of his height and his head to clear some threatening balls. England's No.2 Luke Young had a confident performance on the right. Chris Powell displayed his usual enthusiasm and skill, forging forward when the opportunity presented itself, although perhaps he tired a little towards the end of the game. Kishishev performed well in his role in the engine room of the midfield, putting together some neat and competent passes and also undertaking a defensive role when required, although he did make a couple of errors. Thomas showed some moments of skill. Rommedahl made good use of his pace to torment the Birmingham defence. Murphy made an important contribution to controlling the midfield and had some good runs forward. Bent took his goal well and did his best to get another one. Bartlett was that involved when he came on, but added some solidity to the performance. Hughes was competent without being prominent. Fortune had a cameo role and must wonder what the future holds for him at the club.
Hiss of the Match It was the men in yellow rather than the men in black, and although the linos made some baffling decision, the main award must go to Mark Halsey. Having let Andersen off, he seemed to want to even things up for Birmingham by giving them a free kick at every opportunity and denying valid Charlton calls.
Crowd rating About 1,200 Addickted turned up and they were in strong voice, with Pennant being a particular target, although the misfortunes of Palace and Millwall were also celebrated. 7/10.
posted by Wyn Grant at 5:12 PM
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