Charlton lose at the Cottage

Two goals for Fulham in the first eleven minutes led to defeat for Charlton at Craven Cottage tonight. Lacking four regular first team players, Charlton staged a spirited fight back in the second half but to no avail with Fulham adding a third in the closing minutes.

The first attack from Fulham almost led to an own goal from Morgan Fox, in for Wiggins, but Solly retrieved the situation. However, after a foul throw decision, Charlton won the first corner of the evening, but Bikey’s shot went five yards wide. Moussa put it wide when he could have put the ball out to Solly on the right.

Solly gave the ball away and the unmarked Parker put the ball into the roof of the net on five minutes. Ben Haim put in excellent work to frustrate the next Fulham attack. There was a late flag against Tucudean who was onside.

Henderson made an initial save, but the follow up saw Fulham made it 2-0 through Rodallega on 11 minutes as the rain came pouring down. Charlton’s passing game wasn’t working. They were giving away possession too much. Parker was finding too much space in midfield.

A good ball in from Fox gave Charlton a corner, but the keeper saved. Charlton had settled down and were having a better spell of possession, but then Fulham attacked again. Jackson got a gash over his right eye and had to go off for treatment. He had a bandage on his head.

Charlton nearly conceded a third from Hoogland after the popular Parker, who was serenaded by the Addickted, won a free kick.

Fulham won a corner on 33 minutes, but Henderson claimed it. Bikey made an important interception. After some good work on the right, Charlton won a corner which was cleared. After losing his man, Bulot shot well wide.

When Charlton did get the ball, they were closed down.

Half time: Cottagers 2, Addicks 0

After good work by Bulot Charlton won a corner, which was followed by a second. A shot by Bikey was deflected and then led to a third corner, and then a fourth which was cleared.

Charlton won their eighth corner which was cleared. Fulham counter attacked, but Wilson defended well and got the ball back to Henderson.

Burn put the ball in the net for Fulham, but it was ruled offside. Moussa turned and put in a shot with his right foot, but it went just past the post. He was then taken off and was replaced by Gudmundsson. Bulot moved up alongside Tucudean.

Gudmundsson made an early impact, winning Charlton their ninth corner, followed by their tenth and then their eleventh. This ended in a goal kick, but it was a good spell of pressure from Charlton.

Fox was taken off and replaced by Ahearne-Grant with Jackson coming out to the left. Ahearne-Grant twisted and turned to put in a shot which led to a corner. Bulot pulled his hamstring and Morrison came on with Bikey going up front. Bulot is likely to be out for a few weeks, adding to our injury list. A dangerous Fulham ball flashed across the goal. Bikey clattered Parker. In the 88th minute Rodallega scored the third for Fulham as Morrison slipped over. Wilson hit the inside of the post but the offside flag was raised anyway.

Possession was 50-50, Charlton led on corners 13 to two, but of 23 Charlton shots on goal, only three were on target.