Charlton are purring

Charlton are purring after they started their Championship campaign with a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers with goals from Ben Purrington and Lyle Taylor. 1,077 Addicks were there to see the victory. It was the first time Charlton had won their opening away game of the season for 14 years.

Naby Sarr got an early yellow card on 8 minutes. Charlton did not spark into life in the opening exchanges, finding it difficult to get out of their own half. It was 15 minutes before they had a real spell of possession.

On 26 minutes Lockyer did well to head a Downing cross away. Williams linked up well with Purrington, but his low cross was kicked away. On 36 minutes Taylor forced a good save from Walton.

On 43 minutes 'The Cat' bared his claws. Using a cross from Williams, he put in a left footed shot from close range that went over the keeper to put the Addicks ahead.

Half time: Rovers 0, Addicks 1

On 54 minutes Rovers scored a bizarre own goal. Dijksteel headed off the line and Charlton thought they have cleared the ball but it went off the back of Phillips into the goal.

Taylor fired over from the edge of the box. Phillips made a good save. Pearce did well to turn a cross behind. Sarr had not been doing well at left back and was replaced on 66 minutes by Gallagher. Blackburn made a double substitution.

Purrington made a great block. There were yellow cards for Pearce and Forster-Caskey. Gallagher made good use of a throw in from Dijksteel, but his shot was deflected into the side netting. From the corner Pearce headed the ball and Taylor back heeled into the net to put Charlton ahead again.

Williams was replaced by Morgan on 80 minutes. Forster-Caskey was denied by the keeper from close range. Lapslie was replaced by Oshilaja, making his first appearance.

Six minutes were added on, but Charlton stood firm to take the three points.

Charlton are 3rd in the tentative table.

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