We Sent the Palace Home

The Nigels crept out of the Jimmy Seed Stand with their tails between their legs after Luke Varney scored his second goal to seal Charlton's 2-0 victory over Palace at The Valley last night. It was a determined and generally skilled performance by the Addicks which gives them three important points as well as defeating their rivals. Palace slumped to 7th but Hull, Cardiff and Burnley all have a good chance of overtaking them today. If Stoke lose by at least two goals at Wolves (given that they have scored more goals than us) we could overtake them and go into 4th place.

An early Ambrose error led to a Palace corner which was followed by a second corner. This was taken short and played out. At this early stage of the game Charlton were playing at a frenetic pace.

On 12 minutes the lively Youga won the Addicks their first corner and a good attempt was made on goal. Then suddenly Halford forged through and put in an excellent angled shot which was just wide of the far post.

Charlton staged a break and Speroni in the Palace goal had to make a good save with his feet. Bougherra provided good defensive work. Ambrose lost the ball again. Youga was sharp in defence. McCarthy also defended well. Then Youga put in a good cross but Varney just failed to collect.

Varney burst through. There was a penalty shout for a push in the box. The Bloke Beside Me thought that it was, but I was less sure. Palace won a corner and then Varney won one for the Addicks. Ambrose's corner was poor and led to a Palace break, but Zhi was able to deal with the situation.

Charlton had been playing the better football and the pressure they put on Palace made them lose their shape. However, on 42 minutes Palace won two corners and then they had a free kick. With one minute of time added on, Sam put in a poor shot from distance.

Half time: Addicks 0, Glaziers 0

Palace took off Ifill who had had fitness problems and brought on Sean Scannell. Nicky Weaver made a good save. Gray showed his skill in winning the ball and was able to feed Lloyd Sam who won Charlton a corner. The disappointing effort by Ambrose was caught by Speroni. A Palace corner was unproductive. Youga put in a good cross but Gray's effort went over the bar.

Ambrose put in a shot from distance which tested Speroni as it bobbled along the ground. As the 60 minute mark approached, Charlton won a free kick which was taken by Matt Holland. It was flicked on by Gray and Varney scored to make it 1-0, the Nigels suddenly falling silent.

A Palace free kick led to a corner. Varney was injured, but recovered. An Addicks free kick was caught by Speroni. Sam did all the hard work but then put the ball wide. Matt Holland put in an excellent long angled ball to Varney which led to a Charlton corner but it was cleared.

Palace took off Dans and brought on the much travelled Shefki Kuqi. Ambrose put the Addicks under pressure by giving the ball away again. Palace took off Clinton Morrison and brought on Dougie Freedman who has been a danger man against Charlton in the past.

Luke Varney was held back as he advanced on goal, but the visually impaired East Stand linesman noticed nothing. The Addicks made a double substitution, taking off Gray and Ambrose and bringing on Iwelumo and Sam.

Varney won a Charlton a corner, but Palace broke. With the Addicked watching the clock, Varney broke through to put the game beyond doubt at 2-0. He was taken off in the four minutes of time added on to get a deserved ovation, McLeod coming on for the briefest of cameos. The train back to London was fully of happy Addicks.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible awarded the first ever Golden Bone to Luke Varney for his two well taken goals and his pace and threat throughout the match. This left a Silver Bone to be awarded to Kelly Youga who also had an outstanding game. His pace was excellent, he was a threat in attack and he covered well in defence, completely outtwitting Palace's hapless Ifill who had to be withdrawn at half time.
Weaver had another exemplary game. Halford brings solidity to the defence and his long throws are a useful weapon in the armoury. Bougherra had a good game, although once or twice he foraged forward too far. McCarthy was very solid. Holland was once again a stalwart in his contribution. Ambrose was once again very disappointing, losing possession too easily, while his corners were often poor. Sam was involved but some times his anticipation was poor and his pace insufficient. Zhi didn't seem to be suffering from jet lag and was on good form. Gray has good ball control and shows some neat touches, but I am uncertain whether he will get many goals. Iwelumo came on in the last ten minutes and tried to get involved. Semedo also had a late cameo and was his usual competent self.

Juneau the Soccer Cat gave the Hiss of the Match to the visually challenged East Stand linesman who could see no offences, but was always ready to raise his offside flag against us.

Crowd rating: The Addickted were on good form, I particularly liked the chant of 'Bream' when Dan Bream's goldfish appeared on screen. As the bloke on the train said, 'Even the West Stand we're singing tonight.