Another nail in the coffin

Charlton went down 3-0 at Fulham this afternoon, confirming the likelihood of their relegation. Once again the goals were conceded from corners. The Addicks had their chances to score, but could not find the back of the net.

It was a wet afternoon at Craven Cottage as Charlton faced Fulham with Scott Parker as their captain. After two minutes Lennon had to head behind for a Fulham corner. Henderson came out and claimed the ball.

Lennon had to put the ball out again for a corner. Makienok connected with his head and cleared the ball a good distance. After good play from Bergdich, Harriott was tripped for a free kick 30 yards out. The move ended with a harsh foul awarded against Makienok.

Harriott put in a shot after good work down the left by Bergdich, but it was well saved by Lonergan. Fulham had a corner which was followed by a second, Solly putting it out when it was going out anyway.

The lino went down after being hit in the face by an attempted clearance by Garbutt.

A great counter attack with Makienok holding the ball up well and Harriott won a free kick on the edge of Fulham’s box. Gudmundsson’s shot came off the wall. After brilliant work by Harriott down the right, Gudmundsson had two shots on goal, the second going wide.

At the other end Fox did well to defend a cross and get a goal kick off the Fulham man.

O’Hara cynically tripped Harriott off the ball, but no card was shown, Amorebieta having been booked earlier for a foul on Harriott. A good free kick from Poyet required good work by Lonergan who beat Makienok to the ball.

Henderson dealt with a dangerous free kick from McCormack. Charlton won a corner after a low ball from Fox nearly reached Big Mak.

Fulham won a corner just past the half hour mark. Henderson had to turn a shot away for another corner. It was a good corner from McCormack, Charlton did not defend well, the ball came off the crossbar from Parker, it dropped to Cairney and he scored. Charlton had been the better side, but they had gone behind.

Charlton won a corner down the other end, but it was unproductive. Great work by Harriott played Gudmundsson down the wing and his cross was headed wide by Bergdich.

Harriott received the ball on the edge of the box, stepped on it and fell over.

A cross from Bergdich found Makienok at the near post, but he put the ball just wide.

Gudmundsson was brought down 30 yards from goal by Burn and the charm merchant was booked. Fox’s shot went over the bar.

McCormack had a chance to kill the game from seven yards, but put his shot over.

Fox did well to win a corner in time added on. Lennon got a volley on the corner, but it went out for a throw in. Dembele pushed Poyet over for a Charlton free kick. The delivery was cleared.

HT Fulham 1, Charlton 0

Fulham made a double substitution, Kacaniklic and O’Hara were replaced by Madl and Baird, going 3-5-2 with two wing backs.

Fox delivered a good ball towards the back post, but Fulham cleared their lines.

Lennon was beaten to the ball by McCormack, but Fox covered with a great challenge.

Harriott tested Lonegan with a long-range effort, he spilt his save, but Fulham cleared.

A cross from Fredericks was cut out by Lennon. Fulham won a corner after Bergdich gave the ball away. A second corner followed with Charlton under pressure at set pieces again. The McCormack delivery was spot on and Madl scored with the header from five yards to make it 2-0. The defending was very poor.

Dembele had a free run on goal and almost scored, but the ball came smashing back off the crossbar.

Charlton won a corner through Bergdich. Lennon was penalised for a foul, but Ba smashed it wide anyway.

On 66 minutes Ba and Poyet went off and Motta came on for his Charlton debut along with Lookman. Bergdich went across to the right. It did look a little unbalanced. Solly and Gudmundsson seemed to be central in midfield. Lookman was left midfield and Harriott was up off Makienok.

Lonergan saved well from a low shot from Gudmundsson after he broke through in midfield.

Fulham won a corner and made it 3-0, Cairney putting the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Henderson had no chance. Bergdich was replaced by Reza.

It was nearly four, but Henderson saved at his near post. Gudmundsson was fouled 25 yards out, an elbow in the back of Makienok’s head having been ignored by referee Friend. Gudmundsson’s free kick was narrowly over. Harriott fired well over from 25 yards. Cairney was replaced by Tunnicliffe.

Fox was booked for a late challenge on Fredericks, possibly a little harsh. Tunnicliffe made a reckless tackle on Fox and received a yellow card. It could have been a red.

Makienok flicked the ball into Harriott, he only had the keeper to beat, but he put it into Row Z. Stewards in the Charlton end had to stop a female pitch invader. A few came down the stairs to join in.

A shot from Gudmundsson was spilled by the keeper, Makienok fired the rebound straight at Lonergan.

The result was no surprise, but it still leaves a bitter taste.