Thursday 26 December 2019

Charlton fight back to win three points

Charlton ended their dire run with a 3-2 victory over Bristol City at The Valley this afternoon including a brace from Macaulay Bonne. However, it was the 12th match without a clean sheet and the defence will need some attention in the transfer window.

Charlton went up to 17th, one point behind Birmingham City or third out of ten in the relegation league.

Bonne showed his intent on five minutes when a shot from him was deflected for a corner. City skipper Brownhill displayed his west country charm by cynically tripping Morgan and received a yellow card.

From a Charlton corner, Doughty put an excellent ball in but Sarr headed wide. Lockyer, just behind Sarr, might have been in a better position to score. Bonne got a yellow card for a foul. Matthews won the ball well off Diedhiou.

With the atmosphere in the ground nervy, Bonne then took advantage of a long ball with a really cool lob over the keeper to put the Addicks 1-0 ahead. A late Charlton corner was cleared.

Charlton went behind after 45 seconds in the first half, suggesting a lack of concentration. The Austrian player Weimann scored with a header. Meanwhile, Rowe had been replaced by former Addick Jay DaSilva.

Gallagher went down hurt and was replaced by Purrington. On 56 minutes Charlton hit the crossbar, but it is not clear who was engaging in crossbar challenge practice.

On 60 minutes City went ahead through Elliason. The Swede nutmegged Phillips from five yards out. Phillips then had to save from an Elliason volley. Purrington was brought down in the box, but well-regarded referee Keith Stroud said there was no penalty. Then a minute later Bonne made it 2-2. Doughty then made it 3-2 at the far post.

The hard working Morgan was replaced by Jason Pearce on 86 minutes. On 90 minutes City won a free kick wide on the right which was potentially dangerous, but was dealt with.

Referees now apparently get a bonus for every minute added on at the end of the second half, so the customary five minutes became eight after Oshilaja received treatment. Weimann was way off target. A late City free kick saw the keeper come up, but Charlton held on.

Despite limitations on public transport the stated attendance (including absent season ticket holders) was 18,058 with 1,260 Bristolians.

Shaken and stirred supremo Lee Bowyer said: 'Fair play to the players. They kept going and going. Their togetherness is unreal. It was great to see Alfie get his goal. I'm pleased for him because sometimes he switches off when balls are coming across the box. He got there today and he got his reward. A draw may have been a fair result, but we’ve had a lot happen to us in recent weeks so you can say we were due it.'

Lee Bowyer told Bonne to add physicality to his game: Go out there and be horrible

Jonathan Leko is out for the rest of the season.

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