Thursday, 27 August 2026

Charlton 'B go down at the Lane

Two goals in four minutes towards the end of the first half put Roberto de Zerbi's side in control against their Championship opponents at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs had though struggled to make an impact against a much-changed Charlton side before Mikey Moore broke the deadlock in the 41st-minute.

Moore struck from the edge of the box with a rasping drive into the top corner, the 19-year-old's first goal in a Spurs shirt since January 2025.  England forward Dominic Solanke added the second with a right-foot finish in the 45th minute after turning inside the box.

De Zerbi made five changes to the side that lost at the weekend with Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes making his first start since completing an £85m move from West Ham.

Substitute Kevin Danso made it 3-0 when he headed Fernandes' free-kick home from 15 yards in the 67th-minute, but the Austria defender had to go off for treatment after being hurt while scoring.

The Addicks, who were cheered on by 6,000 travelling fans, made 10 changes to the side that started the win at West Ham last weekend.   They were forced into two early changes because of injuries to defenders Collins Sichenje and Billy Koumetio, but had the two best chances before Moore put Spurs ahead.

Sichenje damaged his left knee early doors. Initially he carried on after requiring treatment but did not last long. Koumetio, impressive since his transfer from Dundee this summer, had a hamstring issue. They were replaced by Lloyd Jones and Danny McNamara.   It looks as if the injuries will be weeks rather than days.

After skipper Greg Docherty forced Antonin Kinsky into a decent save, Nathan Asiimwe had a header that dropped narrowly wide.

They did give the travelling fans something to cheer about when Lloyd Jones scored an 87th-minute consolation.

Shell shocked supremo Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley: “It is a pretty disastrous night for us,” said Addicks boss Jones. “Not the result, or going out of the cup, but the injuries we picked up. To lose three centre-halves, we lost Reece Burke the other day, that is the difficult thing.

“When you come up against Premier League sides now they are difficult animals, physically strong and how they play. It is very difficult to create an upset. What we have to do is concentrate on the Championship - but that’s really caused us an issue now."

AI avatar Desmond from Deal commented: 'As I forecast, Jones has been found out and given a thumping, plus injuries to key players.   At least he had the honesty to admit his mistakes, but there was no follow up in terms of a resignation letter on the chairman's desk.'

 

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