Sunday, 5 January 2020

Charlton can concentrate on the league

The Addicks can concentrate on the league after a 0-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion at The Valley this afternoon. Of the 6,246 there, nearly a third (1,982) were Baggies supporters.

Louis Mendez commented: 'A very young side stuck at it but were unable to find a leveller.'

Fans were heartened by the return of Jonny Williams as a substitute, but Lyle Taylor will be out for two to three weeks according to sanguine supremo Lee Bowyer. Josh Cullen is set to return to Charlton tomorrow, but is probably ten days away from fitness.

The sides made a combined 20 changes from their league games on New Year's Day, with three Charlton debutants. Despite their changes, the Baggies named a much more experienced team than Charlton, with Chris Brunt, Austin and Gareth Barry all playing. Seven of Charlton's starting line-up were not born when Barry made his debut.

Zohore scored his third goal of the season when he played a one-two with Kyle Edwards before side-footing home through Dillon Phillips' legs.

Youngster Josh Davison almost forced an unwanted replay for Charlton but his last-minute bicycle-kick hit the crossbar. West Brom hit the woodwork twice. Chris Brunt's chip came off the crossbar and goalkeeper Phillips brilliantly kept out Charlie Austin's rebound.

Austin also struck the outside of the post from long range as West Brom kept on the pressure. Andre Green had a chance to equalise on his Charlton debut but his shot from outside the box was saved by Jonathan Bond.

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