Addicks get altitude sickness

Free gloves were handed out at The Hawthorns today to help supporters cope with the cold of England's highest ground. Unfortunately, even free gloves could not have helped the Addicks who got a bad case of altitude sicknes. Having gone 1-0 up and the Baggies equalising before the break, they went 2-1 behind, only to equalise at 2-2 and finally to lose 4-2.

The final scoreline flattered the Baggies or rather it was harsh on the Addicks. Albion were the better side, in particular they were fluent and slick in attack and two of their goals came from pinpoint high crosses. However, in a pulsating game, Charlton kept pushing forward and displayed their own skills. With Watford losing at home, the Baggies go top, which is where they may be at the end of the season, and Charlton slip back to 5th, which could well be their final placing.

Bearing in mind some of the criticism he has received for later errors, Chris Powell put in some good defensive work early in the game, conceding nothing more than a throw in. Charlton launched a fluent early attack, but it was unproductive.

Bougherra had no choice but to defend by putting the ball out for a corner, but Greening's effort was caught by a confident Weaver. Seeking to make sure the far post was covered, Sodje collided with the post and had to receive treatment.

After a free kick gifted by the referee to the Albion, a shot came in that was just wide and Nicky Weaver made it clear that he was not happy with the actions, or lack of them, of his defence. Thomas and Powell combined well in attack.

The Baggies were given a free kick about 30 yards out directly in line with the goal, but Weaver gathered he ball comfortably. The Baggies created a chance from a quality cross, but the effort was just wide. With the Albion bearing down on the Charlton goal again, Sodje put in an excellent challenge to win the ball. The Baggies were given another free kick in direct line with the goal, but the ball was cleared. Semedo displayed his defensive skills, outwitting the Baggies attack.

A corner taken by Brunt ended in a goal kick. Andy Reid put in an inspired shot from distance which was just wide of the post and the bar. Thomas made a good run, but the far from impressive Baggies defence cleared the ball in front of goal.

As the half hour approached, another Albion effort whistled past Weaver's post. The Baggies won another corner. Powell cleared the ball off the line. Matt Holland ran the ball towards the wing and was brought down for a Charlton free kick.

Bougherra provided a good clearance. Ambrose made a good run leading to an Addicks thrown in by the corner flag. Reid conceded a completely unnecessary corner by kicking the ball aimlessly towards the goal line with Weaver unable to recover it. Bougherra cleared from the corner.

Thomas turned provider with a good cross to Chris Iwelumo who scored to put the Addicks ahead. A very dubious free kick for the Baggies ended with a foul on Weaver. A Chris Powell error gifted the Baggies a corner, but it ended in a goal kick.

Bednar equalised with a simple goal for which Weaver should have positioned himself better. The Baggies continued to threaten with a shot past the post. Chris Iwelumo had received treatment earlier in the half and had been taken off before the break in favour of McLeod.

With two minutes added on, there was a danger with the ball flashing across the front of the Charlton goal, leading to a Baggies corner and then a second, but immediately that was taken, the referee blew. A charm merchant from the Baggies pushed Semedo and when he gave a shove back, the referee gave Semedo a talking to, calling Chris Powell over to bring the full weight of the Professional Footballers' Association to bear on the matter.

Half time: Baggies 1, Addicks 1

Albion came out in determined mood. An Albion player fell over and the referee gave Bougherra a yellow card. On 49 minutes Brunt put in a great high cross and it was an easy task for Gerra to head it in.

Weaver made a quality save. A Baggies corner was taken short. Zheng Zhi was held back in front of goal. Andy Reid needed treatment. Zheng Zhi turned provider for McLeod, but the keeper was able to save. Powell cleared off the line again. Zheng Zhi was fouled on the edge of the box by the keeper, but the referee was not interested.

The anonymous Darren Ambrose was withdrawn in favour of Luke Varney in an attempt to liven things up. The home crowd started to chant for Kevin Phillips. A free kick came to Varney in front of goal, but he put the ball over the bar. McLeod and Pele got involved in a bout of handbags after a tangle on the touchline. I thought the referee might book them both, but he simply gave them a talking to.

Thomas provided more good work on the wing. Reid was taken off and replaced by Sankofa. The home crowd got their way and Teixera was replaced by Phillips. Luke Varney turned provider for McLeod who did not strike the ball very well, but he managed to catch out the keeper Luke Steele. 2-2 and game apparently on.

Sodje was given a yellow card for a shove in the back. Zheng Zhi won Charlton a corner. The Baggies broke away and Captain Cleanpants got a yellow card for stopping them with a foul.

Once again it was a cross from Brunt to Geary who enabled him to deliver a pinpoint header to make it 3-2. Weaver got a touch, but was unable to stop it. McLeod got a touch on an effort that went just wide and possibly could have done better.

Then Phillips made it 4-2. There were those who argued that it was offside. With four minutes added on the Addicks won a free kick on the edge of the box. 4-3 would have reflected the attacking, end to end nature of the game but the effort by Thomas sailed over the bar.

Afterwards at the station two Baggies fans told me that they had thought that the match had been a great advert for the Championship and at times they thought that Charlton might win. Well, we didn't and West Brom deserved to, although not by a margin of two goals. But no one should fault the spirit and commitment of the Charlton players.

Match analysis

Hooch the Pooch was not able to award the special Golden Bone he had prepared in case of a win, but the Silver Bone was awarded to the returning Jerome Thomas who caused a lot of trouble for the home side on the wing. This was not a great performance by Weaver.
After the second goal, he turned to look at the screen to see where he was at fault and it was evident from the look on his face that he realised he should have positioned himself better. He also has problems with crosses, something which the Baggies seemed to realise. Apart from one or two errors Bougherra had a generally good game in central defence. Sodje was also generally impressive. Powell made some good contributions but he also made some serious errors that exposed the Addicks to danger. Semedo slotted in well at right back (until Sankofa came on) and foraged forward well. Holland was energetic, competent and workmanlike. Reid came close to scoring the goal of the season, but took a knock and eventually had to be withdrawn. Apart from one or two good runs forward Ambrose was generally anonymous and it was no surprise when he was withdrawn. Zheng Zhi was not as prominent as he has been in some games. Whatever his critics say about him Iwelumo does keep on scoring goals and it was no good to see him limping off before half time. Varney gave his all, but missed a chance to score. McLeod broke his duck which will give him some confidence but I remain unconvinced that he is a player of real Championship quality. Sankofa was not that much in evidence after he came on.

Juneau the Soccer Cat had no hesitation in giving the Hiss of the Match to referee P Taylor who was a blatant homer, giving a free kick for the slightest offence to the Albion. A wag behind remarked that no doubt he had given six free kicks against us in the dressing room at half time. When he booked Bougherra, he clearly had great difficulty in writing his name down and the match had to be held up, though why he didn't just write down his number is a mystery.

Crowd rating: The Addickted were not there in huge numbers, but tried to give as good as they got from the vociferous Baggies. A bit more originality with the songs and chants would be welcome. 6/10.B