Parker, Parker, What's the Score?

This was the chant of the Addickted at the end of this afternoon's 3-1 victory over Newcastle at The Valley. Ironically, all three of the first half goals had come from Charlton or former Charlton players with Lee Boywer putting the Addicks ahead after a Newcastle equaliser with a superb own goal. Newcastle's defence looked weak all afternoon while Alan Shearer looked like a refugee from a veterans' team with no speed at all and little contribution apart from the occasional push in the back. The victory is a great boost for morale at The Valley, not least as it comes at the time of the traditional slump in form which has been a favourite theme of moaners. It's worth remembering that for the first time in years we have a nearly fully fit squad.

Ameobi put in a stinging shot from distance in the opening minutes of the game which was saved well by Myhre. Kishishev released Darren Bent with a long ball but Given saved at the expense of a Charlton corner. Newcastle were awarded a dubious free kick in the 'D' on the grounds that Shearer had fallen over, but the effort came off the Charlton wall. Bowyer put in an effort that was well wide. However, he then redeemd himself with a tricky looping ball which the alert Myhre had to tip over the bar. Bryan Hughes cleared the resultant corner.

Then Jerome Thomas was brought down in the area. Often such fouls have been ignored by referees on the big club rule but Halsey pointed to the spot, Darren Bent stepped up and drove the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Thomas put in an effort that was just over the bar. Bryan Hughes was presented with a free header by the generous Barcodes defence, but his effort was well wide. Solano was presented with an open goal, but Myhre did enough to distract him to make him put his shot just wide. Bent had a try but his on target effort was saved by Given who is the only thing that stands between Newcastle and a real pasting.

Then on 35 minutes Parker put in a powerful shot from distance that no keeper could have saved. The Barcode supporters went delirious at the equaliser and anticiipated their next goal. It came within minutes. Confusion reigned in front of the Newcastle goal and Bowyer put the ball into his own net.

The resourceful Kishishev turned provider for Thomas whose attempt was just wide. Chris Powell, who earlier had had to change his boots after they split, provided good defensive cover. A Newcastle corner was cleared by Chris Powell.

Half time: Addicks 2, Barcodes 1

Some unusual half-time entertainment was provided by some pigeons who refused to leave the pitch. The match was evidently not going to plan for Newcastle as they took off Solano and brought on Dyer who did pose some problems for about ten minutes.

Young, Kishishev and Bent put together a good move which led to a Charlton corner from which Marcus Bent had a go. Chris Powell found himself out paced on the wing and Myhre had to save on the line. There was then a moment of panic in the Charlton defence when it was uncertain whether a ball was going off and it was put over the line for a Newcastle corner which was dealt with by Chris Powell.

Kishishev found himself in a promising position but was not quick enough in front of goal. Luke Young put in a good tackle. Marcus Bent found himself onside, the goal was there in front of him, but somehow he put his effort wide. Thomas was fouled by Carr and the talentless charm merchant received a yellow card.

Chris Perry was given a yellow card and Newcastle won a free kick. Ameobi was taken off and N'Zogbia came on (to little effect). Newcastle had a free kick in a dangerous position but Myhre made the save. Luke Young won the Addicks a corner, followed by Darren Bent.

Rommedahl was finally brought on in place of Thomas. A corner by Hughes was played in again and the much criticised midfielder put in a good ball which Given had to tip over the bar for a corner taken this time by Rommedahl.

Unusually, Chris Perry made a poor clearance and the Herminator had no option to put it out for a Newcastle corner but their effort went over the bar. Marcus Bent was taken off and replaced by Bothroyd. Using his pace down the wing, Rommedahl created a scoring opportunity for Bothroyd which he took to make it 3-1.

Although there was a Newcastle corner and a Charlton free kick to come, it was effectively game over and the Barcodes started to stream out of the ground pondering why they had been unable to defeat the little club from SE7.

Match analysis

With senior match analyst Hooch the Pooch settling into his new canal side home in Long Itchington, lucky labrador Homer the Cherry Hound selected Luke Young to receive the Silver Bone. The choice was not an easy one given a good all round team performance, but Homer was impressed by the captain's foraging runs forward, particularly in the second half. Myhre made his contribution with some excellent saves. Unlike Given he had a quality defence playing in front of him: the dependable Chris Perry, the master of the defensive header Hermann Hreidarsson and the tireless Valley hero Chris Powell. Kishishev was also tireless and played some excellent balls forward. Even his detractors had to admit that Hughes played well while Holland continued his recent improvement. Thomas was a menace on the wing and won Charlton their penalty, but sometimes he dwells too long on the ball and unnecessarily gets himself into some awkward positions. Steve from Sidcup thought that Marcus Bent was 'out of sorts' and I wonder if he is fully fit. He certainly missed a golden chance to score. Darren Bent
scored his 20th goal of the season, the best performance that we have seen at Charlton from a striker since Andy Hunt. Dennis Rommedahl was ready to come on relatively early in the second half, but then had to put his track suit on again. When he did come on his lightning run down the wing set up the goal scored by late substitute Jay Bothroyd and whatever else you say about him, he can find the net as a substitute.

Juneau the Soccer Cat awarded the Hiss of the Match to the whingeing Barcode defenders who tried to cover up their own inadequacies by complaining about perfectly reasonable decisions by the referee and lino.

Crowd rating: Not quite as good as against Boro, but lively, especially in the second half. 'One greedy bastard' was a favourite retort to the Barcodes lauding Parker. 7/10.