Berry, Berry late

Hull City were denied a fourth straight league win by Luke Berry's stoppage-time equaliser, just as it looked like the Tigers would hold on for victory, with the game finishing 1-1.   Berry came on from the bench to make use of Bree's corner on 90+1 minutes.   Charlton are now 6th in the table.

City had to grind it out against a side in terrific form of their own,.   The home sidetook the lead early in the second period when Matt Crooks won the ball and fed Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt to crash in the opener to make it three goals in as many games.

Inside the opening three minutes, the visitors have two glorious chances from deep crosses to the back post, which City failed to deal with. Ivor Pandur turned the first over from Tyreece Campbell, and the second he blazed over.

Most of us would take the point, seven in a week.

Nathan Jones commented: "It's an outstanding point. If you are any team in the Championship, seven points (from the last three games) is an excellent return.

"We have had to dig in. We made a big error to allow them to take the lead.  To beat Sheffield Wednesday, to beat Ipswich on the road and to draw with a flying Hull is great.

"You can be a bit more upbeat about a seven-point week in the Championship because that is outstanding."

International break may help injured to recover

Under pressure manager Nathan Jones said at this afternoon's press conference about two key injured players: 

“We’ve had to manage Matty [Godden]. He played through the pain barrier last year, so we had to rectify that over the summer (he underwent surgery. It was so important that we got him to the end of last season - he was one of the best strikers in the league and he was our top goal scorer.

“He was important to us and Miles (Leaburn) was injured. We felt we needed to get him through (the games) and as a result of that he’s had a shortened pre-season. He is now back on the grass and we just have to build him up.

“What we don’t want to do is bring him back too quickly, he then pulls a hamstring and is out for another month.

“Luke Berry is exactly the same. He played through stuff last year."

“Those two are the only two now that we have as absentees. Hopefully they will be back soon. The international break gives us a two-week window, without missing games, to put a bit of work into them. They will be in a better place coming out of that.”

Addicks ease past Stevenage

Charlton comfortably beat League One side Stevenage 3-1 to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.   Miles Leaburn calmly slotted the Addicks into the lead before Ibrahim Fullah doubled the advantage with a goal on his first start for the club.  Luke Berry made the game safe as he headed in the Addicks' third after the break.

Having beaten Watford 1-0 thanks to Harvey Knibbs' late winner on their return to the Championship on Saturday, Nathan Jones gave his goal scoring signing his first start since joining from Reading.

Knibbs was one of 11 changes with Joe Rankin-Costello making his debut alongside Fullah at The Valley.

Leaburn, who scored 10 goals last season as Charlton won promotion via the play-offs, opened his account for 2025-26 as he slotted in Isaac Olaofe's pass after Dan Phillips had given away the ball.

Nine minutes later, Fullah made it a debut to remember as he outmuscled his marker to shoot home Henry Rylah's cross into the bottom corner.

Dan Kemp blasted over for Stevenage shortly after the break, while at the other end Taye Ashby-Hammond was on hand to keep the ball out after Berry had redirected Rankin-Costello's shot towards goal.

Berry did find the net soon after as he stooped to head home Daniel Kanu's cross to seal matters.

But Stevenage finished the tie strongly and cut the deficit when Freestone headed in Jasper Pattenden's cross before Phoenix Patterson forced a good save from Will Mannion.

Charlie Kelman saw a stoppage-time effort deflect just wide for the Addicks as they progressed to the next round.

Richard Cawley reports Nathan Jones praised Isaac Olaofe for the assist that led to Miles Leaburn's opener for Charlton  last night but also talked about the summer signing 'over-thinking' a good scoring chance in the first half.    Jones was also very bullish on Danny Hylton stepping up his coaching responsibilities following the departure of James Brayne to Sunderland.