Charlton lose 2-1

Charlton suffered their first league defeat of the season this afternoon going down 2-1 to a Nottingham Forest side who showed themselves to be superior on the day. Possession was just 53-47 in the home side's favour and Charlton had seven corners to six. However, their downfall was just one shot on target.

Some have been arguing that Chris Powell got the formation wrong, but it may well be that any combination would have not dealt with Andy Reid bossing the game from midfield. In contrast those there thought that Jackson and Pritchard were out of their depth. The one change in the Charlton line up was Jordan Cook replacing the absent Dale Stephens.

Guedioura almost netted after eight minutes but his shot from inside the area hit the crossbar. Forest went ahead on 17 minutes and there are different views about whether Hamer could have dealt with the ball better. McGugan was credited with the goal when his free-kick from wide on the left touchline was missed by Hamer and sneaked inside the post without a touch from anyone inside the crowded penalty box.

It might have been 2-0 straight away had Blackstock done better with his header from 12 yards out. Simon Cox brought a solid save from Hamer just before half-time as Forest went into the break only one goal ahead, but leading comfortably.

The Addicks did make more of a game of it in the second half. Camp was called into action early in the second half to keep out an effort from Cook, which he needed two attempts at grasping. It looked like game over when Forest scored their second on 75 minutes. Charlton got a late reply, and although it was an own goal by keeper Camp, it was effectively created by Ricardo Fuller on 88 minutes after his header hit the post. Fuller had replaced Wright-Phillips on 81 minutes. With six minutes added on, the last few minutes were nervous ones for the home side, particularly given that rivals Derby defeated Watford 5-1.

Next opponents Crystal Palace secured their first points of the season with a massive 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Earlier, Millwall had beaten Boro at home.

Charlton are now 15th in the table, which is the area many think they will be in at the end of the season, while Forest leap to 3rd. Despite their win Palace are still in the relegation zone at 23rd.