10 man Charlton slump to defeat

How you strolling? It's Paul May here with a report from Upton Park. Inspector Sands said that Erith were at home today in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, but my loyalties are with Charlton as they look forward to a challenging and exciting season.

The Irons made an early break and Zamora put in a shot with West Ham claiming a corner. West Ham kept up the pressure and Benayoun put in a header which went wide. Zamora was in the box again threatening a tap in but Carson made a great save. Konchesky made a run, but handled the ball. Pardew got increasingly agitated about Howard Webb's decisions.

West Ham broke from a Charlton attack in which Luke Young was inspirational and only denied a shot by a last minute tackle. Carson gathered the ball well after it had been left by El Karkouri who misjudged the ball.

Hasselbaink put in an effort after an eighty yard ball from Carson had been headed down by Darren Bent, but it was about a yard over the top over the corner of the post and bar.

Hughes put in an effort on 14 minutes which came off the hand of Gabidon and after consulting the lino the refere pointed to the spot. Bent put the ball into the back of the net with an emphatic shot to make it 1-0 to the Addicks.

An unnecessary foul by El Karkouri on Zamora gave the Irons a free kick some 25 yards out, but the chance was wasted by the home side. Traore made a tackle on Lee Bowyer and was shown a yellow card. The free kick led to the first corner of the afternoon for the Irons. Zamora's header off Konchesky's corner went over the bar.

Harewood had his shirt tugged by Traore who prevented the free kick being taken and was sent off through his own stupidity. Hasselbaink broke through a ball by Luke Young and was very nearly through on goal. Carson made a brilliant reaction save, then the ball went in through Harewood, but the goal was disallowed for a push. Sorondo came on a substitute at centre half, Ambrose being withdrawn, with the Herminator pushed out to left back.

The Irons tried to claim a penalty for an alleged hand ball by Holland. There was pressure in the Charlton box and Harewood got a yellow card for diving. Charlton faced further pressure, but Faye cleared. The Irons won a corner kick. Sorondo cleared with a header.

Carson made a diving save from Harewood who looked marginally offside. Harewood won a dubious corner kick which was played short. The shot scraped off the upright with Carson beaten. Darren Bent was caught offside in time added on. Young got a yellow card.

Half time: Irons 0, Addicks 1

West Ham putting on some early pressure, but Charlton managed to contain them. But after six minutes West Ham equalised through Zamora from two feet out after Bowyer had floated a ball in. Carroll had to make a diving save after a 45 yard strike by Bent.

West Ham were given a free kick on the left hand side of the D which sailed over the top as the 60 minute mark was reached. El Karkouri defended well as Bowyer threatened. The Irons won a corner kick. Marcus Bent came on to replace Hasselbaink. Konchesky was booked for bringing down Darren Bent.

An attempt by Bowyer bounced over Carson and hit the post and bobbled into the path of Zamora and the ball dribbled into the goal, El Karkouri having failed to connect for a clearance. Charlton shifted to a 3-4-2 formation with Reid coming on and started to look livelier.

Bowyer put in a curling shot that came off the post. Carroll fumbled the ball and Darren Bent turned it in, but the referee judged that it was a foul on the goalkeeper as the Irons keeper went down injured.

Faye dispossesd Reo Coker and with Charlton more in the ascendancy, the home fans feared that their bubble might burst. The Irons brought on Teddy Sherringham in place of Zamora.

West Ham attacked and Carson had to punch clear. The Irons won a corner as the game edged towards an end, but Carson gathered. Darren Bent claimed a corner at the other end without success.

Charlton won a free kick for handball as four minutes of time were added on. Carroll came out and missed it, but Sorondo's effort went over the top. Carthorse Cole lumbered on and scored with his first touch, with Charlton failing to play the offside trap to add to the gloom of the Addickted who headed out for an early tube.

I put a lot on blame on Traore for getting needlessly sent off.