Away point secured

The run of draws at The Hawthorns between West Brom and Charlton at The Hawthorns continued tonight.

Unbeaten Charlton had to come from behind to earn a point at The Hawthorns as they battled their way to a draw with resurgent West Bromwich Albion.

After a poor first half, Albion looked like they might be on their way to a second successive home Championship win on 59 minutes when Baggies left-back Callum Styles powered home a sumptuous 20-yard left-foot volley.

But the Addicks equalised 10 minutes later when Miles Leaburn nodded back for Tyreece Campbell to drill home a leveller from eight yards.

Although their winning start to the season has come to an end, Nathan Jones' Charlton remain third, having lost their leadership of the early season table the night before, with Albion in seventh.

AI avatar Desmond from Deal commented: 'As I forecast the wheels are coming off and Jones has been found out.'

Tottering Hotspur? Il campo parla

One of my favourite trips to the old White Hart Lane was when we won 1-0, Spurs fan Chris Powell scoring the goal.

My stepdaughter has undertaken some of the design work for the new stadium.  Although she is more used to working on venues such as airports, she says she has never seen such a high standard of finish.

Building the new stadium, surely the finest in the country, distracted the club from the pitch leading to Spurs only just avoiding relegation last year.   Much the same happened at Arsenal with the move to the Emirates.

Now a change in leadership has seen more investment in the team.  However, it doesn't seem to have paid off at Brentford on Saturday, although there are still signings to come.

The Sunday Times reported: 'Spurs looked worryingly reminiscent of that side that buckled under the first sign of pressure last season.  Brentford pulverised Tottenham from start to finish.   De Zerbi was a little ball of frustration on the side.'

His watchword is 'Il campo parla', the pitch speaks.   Haringey's finest will want to show what they can do on Wednesday.   Charlton could well get thumped, but the more important match is against Preston North End on Saturday.

A defeat will give the pessimists and negativists their first chance this season, but the result will be no reflection of the calibre of the management or the team.

Tyreece Campbell has signed a new four year contract with the club.

NYT praises soccer ball threat Campbell

Keith Jones scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win at The Valley over Liverpool.   Luke 'Warm' Young found the net in a 2-0 win.

When Charlton were in the Premier League and we beat, for example, Liverpool all the resultant media coverage was on the lines of 'what has gone wrong at Liverpool?'

I predicted the same would happen with Saturday's victory against Wet Spam and so it has.  For example, The Times has a page feature on the club's woes.

Rather unusually The New York Times had a match report on a Championship game that did not involve Wrexham, but you would have had difficulty working out that Charlton were on the pitch.

However, there was one interesting paragraph: 'Tyreece Campbell initiated most of Charlton’s attack down the left flank. The winger subjected full-back Kyle Walker-Peters to a tough afternoon with his pace and unpredictability in possession. His performance was a reminder that West Ham do not have a player that offers a similar threat.'

Yet the armchair managers were telling us last year that he was useless and he was a scapegoat player for many fans.  Their response is that he has undergone a metamorphosis.  

AI avatar Desmond from Deal imploded after Saturday's game, but is now forecasting that Charlton will get their just deserts at Spurs.   No doubt they will want to offset their dubbing by mighty Brentford.

Unconfirmed reports are appearing on social media that Charlton have agreed to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from Crystal Palace for £5.  There is no authoritative confirmation of these reports.

Victory north of the river

What is wrong with Wesr Ham?' will be the media story tomorrow, but Charlton fans will be celebrating an unexpected 2-1 win at the London Stadkum.

It was a case of deja vu when Charlton's goals were scored first by captain Lloyd Jones on seven minutes and then by Tyreece Campbell.

An underwhelming home side pulled one back on 74 minutes.  They then had a chance to equalise when Conor Coventry hand balled in the box, but hit the post from the penalty spot.

Charlton are 2nd in the table behind the Spanners on goal difference.

I featured Charlton fan and author Charlie Connelley yesterday and today is his 56th birthday.

Lloyd Jones opened the scoring with an early overhead kick after the hosts allowed Sonny Carey's long throw-in to bounce inside their penalty area.

Seven days after securing Charlton's win over the Rams, man of the matchTyreece Campbell was in clinical form again to dispossess the dithering Konstantinos Mavropanos, enter the box and curl in shortly after the break to double the lead in front of a sell-out crowd of 62,500, including more than 3,000 gleeful Addickted.

West Ham’s coach Nuno Espirito Santo was unimpressed to see Miles Leaburn gifted the ball for a run that ended with the forward sending a fierce shot wide, summing up a first half in which Charlton proved considerably more dangerous than their opponents in the first league edition of this fixture since 2007.

Despite their lack of cutting edge, West Ham could have levelled seconds before the interval when Castellanos had a glorious chance to take his tally to four goals in his past five home league games, only to plant a header straight at Arthur Okonkwo when Ollie Scarles' curling cross found the forward unmarked in front of goal.

Nuno sent on Lewis Orford for Mohamadou Kante in midfield for the second half, which his side began by applying ample pressure before more sloppiness afforded Campbell a chance the Jamaica international took to double Charlton's lead.

Making his Charlton bow, Okonkwo brilliantly tipped Divine Mukasa's drive away as part of an inspired display against an attack featuring new West Ham signing Arne Engels, as well as home debutant Manor Solomon.

Piroe, having seen a goal ruled out after the ball had gone out of play before his finish, pulled one back to give the hosts hope.

The lively Jarrod Bowen created further opportunities and Castellanos skimmed a header narrowly wide as Nuno's players pushed to replicate Burnley's comeback against them at Turf Moor.

Castellanos looked poised to complete the comeback in last-gasp fashion, but his miss ensured the celebrations and relief belonged to Charlton after a gritty, incisive display that ensured they joined Millwall as the only teams to have won both of their first two Championship matches.

No Ram raid today

A second half comeback saw Charlton defeat Derby 2-1 at The Valley this afternoon.   Derby went ahead in the first half.

Lloyd Jones scored with a pinpoint header, making use of a well placed free kick by prodigal Karlan Grant.

Then Tyreece Campbell scored a rare goal to deliver the winner on 80 minutes.

Carlton Morris made a last minute effort for an equaliser and had a penalty appeal turned down.

The Addicks made a rapid start to the game but rarely threatened to go ahead before Szmodics scored following neat interplay with Morris, soon after going close with another strike.

The outstanding Campbell was at the heart of Charlton's best moments, sending in several dangerous crosses, notably when Rams defender Charlie Taylor made a brilliant block to stop Dan McNamara's fierce half-volley.

With pressure increasing on the resumption, Timothy Ouma headed wide when unmarked at a corner but Jones was not so wasteful as he powered the ball in from an exquisite Karlan Grant cross.

Campbell was the appropriate match winner and Charlton survived a late rally by the Rams, in which Oscar Fraulo forced a fine save from Will Mannion, who also denied Morris in injury time.

Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley that Charlton are in "really advanced negotiations" with Tyreece Campbell over a new contract.   And he wants to stay (not all fans will welcome this unfortunately).

Jones had only an opaque explanation of why Mannion was preferred over Kaminski.  Jones has never ruled out a move for him.  It is understood that the Belgian player's family live abroad.  A Cyprus club came in for him early in the transfer window.

Charlton are Kings

A suburb of Cheltenhm is called Charlton Kings and so it proved yesterday in the Carabao Cup with the Addicks convincing 3-1 winners.  Negativists searching for a narrative pointed out that it was Cheltenham  not Chelsea.

Nathan Jones' side opened up a three-goal lead before half-time, with Matty Godden, Sonny Carey and Tyreece Campbell on target.

Godden fired wide with the first chance in the fourth minute but two goals in two minutes put Charlton firmly in control.  Godden charged down a clearance from Robbie Cundy, allowing Carey to set him up for a finish which bounced in off the post in the 22nd minute.

Carey then fired in the second almost immediately to make it 2-0.  And Campbell was teed up by Conor Coventry before curling a fine shot inside the top-right corner from outside the penalty area, giving goalkeeper Joe Day no chance in the 37th minute.

Day denied Karlan Grant with a fine stop just before half-time and Cheltenham pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half.

Joe Tomlinson's in-swinging corner was nodded in from close range by George Miller.

Will Mannion denied Tomlinson after Shaun McWilliams' cross in the 59th minute as Cheltenham nearly pulled another one back.

But Charlton had done enough and only two late saves from substitute goalkeeper Wyll Stanway denied them a fourth.

Kayne Ramsay is out for for a few weeks with an ankle injury.

Steve Cotterill, the Cheltenham Town manager, was full of admiration for the quality of Charlton’s attackers - and claimed to know about transfer interest in them. “Their finishes have been incredible,” he said. “We’re talking about a good few million pounds that those goals are worth.

“You’ll probably see, in a short space of time, a couple of those players…..there’s already been bids in for them, I know that. They are going to be going for big money soon.

Tyreece Campbell on his way?

Richard Cawley has confirmed reports that Tyreece Campbell is being linked with a move to Preston North End.  He has one year left on his Charlton contract.

He divided fans last season, being a scapegoat player for some because of what was seen as a lack of consistent effort.

We are not short of wingers so it may be a chance to cash in.

Charlton wing it

Richard Cawley reports that Charlton have completed a permanent move for Millenic Alli. No fee disclosed but been unverified claims that it is around £1.5million.

The word on from him other clubs seems to be that he is a bit of a maverick, but needs must.

Cawley notes that the Addickshave now got three players - Tyreece Campbell, Karlan Grant and Millenic Alli - who all played down the left at Championship level next season. Obviously doubts about the future of TC, whose deal expires at the end of this season.

Nathan Jones has dabbled with him playing as a CF, now has the attacking players to more easily do that. Grant and Alli both right-footed but have tended to play the inverted winger role.

Alli is 26 and has had his first call up for the Republic of Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenic_Alli

To the Londoners 1-0

Tyreece Campbell came off the bench to grab an 81st-minute winner for Charlton Athletic as the Addicks edged out Stoke at The Valley to pull away from the Championship relegation zone.

Campbell's winner moved Nathan Jones' side seven points clear of danger as Stoke's winless run was extended to six games.

The visitors had their chances but it was Campbell's cool finish after Ashley Phillips was left flat-footed by Lyndon Dykes' flick-on which settled the contest.

It was a sweet victory for Nathan Jones who had ten months in charge at Stoke in 2019, and he milked the moment with his energetic celebrations leading to an on-field confrontation with Potters coach Ryan Shawcross.

Charlton made the early running, almost taking the lead in the sixth minute when defender Harry Clarke hit the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.

Stoke defender Phillips was then forced to clear desperately with his head from Dykes' lob and Lloyd Jones missed another good chance.

However Stoke came into the game more as the half wore on with the dangerous Jesurun Rak-Sakyi striking the bar against his former club after being put in by Lamine Cisse.

Charlton were also fortunate not to concede a penalty in the 29th minute when Sorba Thomas' cross from the left struck the arm of Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers but referee Anthony Backhouse remained unmoved.

Thomas was a constant thorn in Charlton's side down the left but Stoke's frontline failed to get on the end of a series of inviting crosses, much to the frustration of the Wales international.

Instead it was the home side who grasped the moment with a route-one winner.  Campbell, on for Matty Godden who was withdrawn after an hour, raced through to score after Dykes had nodded on Thomas Kaminski's goal kick to score the decisive goal.

Charlton remain 18th on goal difference behind Sheffield United and Norwich also on 39 points.

Avatar Desmond from Deal commented: 'I was hoping that Jones would be the second manager in London to get his P45 today, but once again he has got lucky.'

Nathan Jones said: "I thought we deserved it. I had a feeling about TC (Tyreece Campbell) tonight after last Friday night's game where I didn't feel he was at it. I gave him a little bit of a chat and I just had a feeling about him tonight.

"If he realises how good he is and gets his mental side of everything right, then the kid can go all the way.

"He moves like a Premier League player. How he controls things, how he shifts, how he runs - he has all the physical attributes to be that. It's just up to us to bring that together."

Valley despair

Charlton remain in 18tth place just four points about the relegation zone after a 1-2 defeat by Derby County at The Valley tonight.  An own goal from Macaulay Gillesphey handed the Rams a half-time lead before Bobby Clark doubled the advantage after an hour.  Charlton responded through Tyreece Campbell's long-range strike, but could not find an equaliser despite late pressure and a man advantage with Derby defender Matt Clarke receiving a second yellow card late on.

Derby striker Patrick Agyemang revealed after the Rams' 1-0 win at Preston North End on Saturday how upset he was missing an open goal despite eventually scoring the winner at Deepdale.

The USA international was crucial to the visitors' opener he drove into the six-yard box from the left and fizzed in a shot which forced the unfortunate Gillesphey to turn the ball into his own net.

Derby still remained the more threatening side before the interval, with Agyemang's fellow forwards Ben Brereton Diaz and Corey Blackett-Taylor both going close.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones made two changes at the break, but the Addicks were caught out again as this time Clark raced through to finish clinically past Thomas Kaminski from Brereton Diaz's through ball.

Campbell reignited home hopes however with a fierce effort from distance that flew in off the post and gave Richard O'Donnell no chance.

Derby were reduced to 10 men for the last few minutes as Clarke was given a second booking for a poor tackle on Kayne Ramsay.  It set up a nervy ending but the visitors defended resolutely to see out a valuable away win and close the gap to the top six.

The attendance was the lowest league gate at The Valley this season even with nearly 2,000 Rams present.

Defensive worries compounded

Charlton's players gave their all against Chelsea at The Valley last night and Mannion made some great saves.   It was also pleasing to see Miles score.   And the mist really did roll in from the Thames.

The complete absent of Kaminski from the line up was explained by Nathan Jones in terms of rotation which appears to be a new departure in this position.

But now it's back to the grind of staying in the league and Nathan Jones has told Richard Cawley that his defensive worries have been compounded after last night's game.

Amar'i Bell pulled up with a hamstring problem on 74 minutes and not long afterwards Tyreece Campbell felt something and had to be replaced.

The Addicks were already without Kayne Ramsey, Reece Burke and Josh Edwards.

Shell shocked supremo Jones told Cawley that he would like to bring in five defenders during the window, but only two are really feasible and one of those is likely to be Bree whom many fans think has faded from a good start.

Decent draw

A second half equaliser by Tyreece Campbell, a leading target of armchair managers, secured Charlton a 1-1 draw against the confident Millwall of the Midlands in Birmingham today.    Oxford and Swansea both lost and the Addicks moved into 17th in the table, not a relegation position.   They have a five point cushion over the bottom three.

Tyreece Campbell came off the bench to grab his first goal of the season and stop the rot for Charlton with a valuable point at Birmingham City.   The 22-year-old scored with his first touch in the 67th minute to end a run of five successive Championship defeats for Nathan Jones's side.

It capped a frustrating afternoon for Blues, who had led through captain Christoph Klarer and who hit the woodwork twice through Demarai Gray.

Charlton deserve plenty of credit for the way they upped the tempo after being outplayed in the first half at St Andrew's.   Klarer had given Birmingham a 28th-minute lead heading powerfully home after an excellent free-kick from Tommy Doyle.

Charlton should have equalised five minutes later when Isaac Olaofe intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Ryan Allsop and set up Miles Leaburn, only for the striker to finish poorly, blazing over the goal.

The home side had been warned and, taking charge of a compressed midfield, Charlton equalised through Campbell who had only been on the pitch for two minutes. Olaofe provided the cross which Allsop could only divert on to the Jamaica international who put the chance away.

Gray, who had struck the post in the first half, again hit the Charlton woodwork with a superb individual effort as Blues again dominated the game. Birmingham laid siege to the visitors' goal with a succession of corners.

They also had an inviting free-kick in the 90th minute but Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, well-positioned, made a fine save from Gray. Lewis Koumas could have won it for Blues in added time, but could not convert his header as Charlton held out for a deserved point.

Nine yellow cards were issued in a feisty encounter, but all four stands applauded Headphones Norman.

Jones defends scapegoat player

The armchair managers are now out from underneath their stones, one proclaiming that Nathan Jones is 'out of his depth' in the Championship.   In truth it is the armchair managers who are out of their depth.  Even with relegation places effectively reduced to two, it was always going to be a struggle to stay in the second tier.

The search for scapegoat players is gathering pace.    Rob Apter and Tyreece Campbell are two Charlton Athletic players who have been the subject of much debate by the club’s fanbase.

In the case of Apter, the question is why, after an impressive start to his SE7 career in the opening weeks of the Championship season, the summer signing from Blackpool has garnered so few minutes, especially in an Addicks side that have not been prolific scorers.

By contrast, there have been supporters who feel that Campbell needs some time on the sidelines with the Jamaican international on a dry spell that stretches back to April 12. The academy product has not netted in 31 matches for club or country Only four Charlton players have played more minutes this season than Campbell.

He told Richard Cawley: “His numbers are through the roof,” said Jones. “Sometimes he can be a bit wavy in how he does stuff, but his high-speed running, his sprint distance and his distance overall are always top.“I understand peoples’ frustrations, but you have to remember TC is a young player and he has never played in the Championship before - he is a work in progress. We are asking him to play up front, in a number 10 position or fill in at wing-back. He does it admirably at Championship level.

“Could his numbers be better? Yes. If we’re at full strength and TC is getting service then he is a better player. Right now the kid is humble, he works so hard and he is having to play in three different positions for us. There is context around a lot of that.“It’s not just a case of ‘get him out of the side and replace him with someone’. We’re in a tough position. He is a threat with his pace and work-rate.“Can his numbers be better? Absolutely. But if we have [Matty] Godden, [Charlie] Kelman, Amari’i an

d Josh back - everyone fit - then the responsibility to do so much other stuff, other than just focus on scoring goals, won’t be on him. Then we can free him up to do that. Right now TC is another victim of circumstance. He does a job for us and his numbers are good. And he is a threat - regardless of his outcomes.

To read more and about the manager's views on Apter, subscribe to Cawley's Substack page.

Back to the Valley day

33 years since that great day, 12 year olds who managed to get in will now be in their mid forties and many of those present have gone to join Sam Bartram.

5 December is also a special day for me as it was when I met my late wife. (in 1974)   Her father was Palace, but she became a keen Addick.

The museum will be open from 11 am to 2.30 today.

Just as in 1992, we face Portsmouth tomorrow.    When we were in the Premier League, Curbs said our first priority was to beat the teams around us.   Wins like that away at Arsenal on Black Sabbath were a bonus ball.

Portsmouth are third from bottom in the table, but one place ahead of Charlton in the form table.  Away from home they have won one, drawn three and lost four, scoring just six goals (although Charlton's tally is only eight).

Although I think I am right in saying that we have played Portsmouth more times than any other club, we haven't met in the second tier for 25 years.   Our record against Pompey is good: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgk97zv8xro

Tomorrow's game is crucial and presumably Pompey will be able to deploy former Leamington ace Colby Bishop.   Winger Harvey Blair is back from injury and is thought to add pace and power down the left.

Nathan Jones has had to deny the wilder rumours about Matt Godden, although he is unlikely to return before January,   He has also spoken in defence of Tyreece Campbell who has become a scapegoat for some fans.

Jones admitted: 'It’s a tough game against Portsmouth. John [Mousinho] has done wonderfully there. It’s a game that we will be looking to win - we have to get back to winning ways, regardless of anyone else.'

CAS Trust reminds us that a year ago we lost at home to Crawley in a League One game: https://www.castrust.org/2025/12/portsmouth-33-years-on/

 

Are Reggae boys Charlton in disguise?

The Chicago Addick won't like the 0-4 defeat of Bermuda by Jamaica but it was pleasing to see three Charlton players featuring.  Tyreece Campbell has become something of a scapegoat player at Charlton recently, not without some justification, but hopefully his international experience will help his development.  He started the game in his full international debut and was substituted after 87 minutes.

Karoy Anderson and Kaheim Dixon featured as second half substitutes.

The Royal Gazette [sic] reports: 'From a country renowned for its sprinting, Jamaica’s wide men in particular would not have looked out of place in a track and field final as Bermuda struggled to handle the pace possessed by their opponents in transition.'

'Despite Bermuda having the lion’s share of possession with 54 per cent of the ball, Jamaica were purposeful in attack and could have scored more goals.'

Clearout under way

Tyreece Campbell has agreed a new deal with Charlton, reports Richard Cawley.   The winger had been due to be out of contract this summer - although age would have meant he was liable for compensation. Terell Thomas and Michael Hector both released along with Richard Chin, Jack Payne, Lewis Ward and Diallang Jaiyesimi (who he? Ed).

The retained list statement also seems to indicate no late U-turn on George Dobson's move to Fehervar. "The club would like to thank George Dobson, who has played 144 games for Charlton since joining in 2021. He's given his all for the club in every training session and every game and everyone at the club wishes him all the best in Hungary."

Lualua and Wickham have not been offered contrxcts, all loan players are returning to their clubs.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Chuks Aneke is leaving by mutual consent.

Nathan Jones discusses his philosophy and plans here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-built-a-luton-legacy-now-summer-of-transfer-and-squad-construction-awaits-at-charlton-athletic/