Charlton 1 Southampton 5
A clinical Southampton beat an injury-hit Addicks 5-1 handing Charlton just a second defeat at The Valley in 2025.
The game was decided in an incredible eight-minute spell between the 14th and 22nd minute where the visitors netted four goals.
Charlton had first sight at goal in just the second minute after a half chance fell to Sonny Carey but his deflected shot was comfortable for Saints' stopper Gavin Bazunu.
The Addicks were given a warning when Thomas Kaminski did excellently to deny Finn Azaz at close range when the attacking midfielder looked likely to score.
However, Saints took a 14th-minute lead when Ryan Manning showed desire to get on the end of Tom Fellows’ chipped cross from the right, heading home at the back post.
Two minutes later it was the dangerous Adam Armstrong who doubled the visitors’ lead, finishing in the box at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked back into his path.
Southampton’s third came in the 20th minute and was the result of a passing move from defence to attack. Armstrong played Caspar Jander behind the Charlton defence, who made no mistake with a calm finish past Kaminski.
Azaz’s first goal came two minutes later and again Armstrong was the provider. The striker played in Azaz who rounded Kaminski and slotted into the open net.
As Nathan Jones tried to change the game, he brought on Joe Rankin-Costello for Rob Apter in the 24th minute.
Onel Hernández curled a shot wide for the Addicks but the visitors added a fifth goal before the break, with Azaz tapping in at the back post from another Fellows cross from the right.
Charlton clawed a goal back in first-half stoppage time with Lloyd Jones heading home Carey’s deep corner from six yards out.
Charlton started the second half more brightly and had loud appeals for a penalty waved away when it looked like Lloyd Jones was pushed in the box as he tried to get on the end of Macaulay Gillesphey’s free kick. Substitute Harvey Knibbs also looked to be fouled in the penalty area but again nothing was given.
Tyreece Campbell danced inside two defenders but curled a shot wide of goal while Kaminski did well to keep out Armstrong at the other end.
The Addicks will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City.
Charlton are back at The Valley on December 6th for the visit of Portsmouth. Click here to purchase your ticket.
Charlton: Kaminski; Ramsay, Jones, GIllesphey; Apter (Rankin-Costello 24), Carey (Anderson 73), Coventry (Berry 73), Docherty (c) (Olaofe 73), Hernández; Campbell, Leaburn (Knibbs 77)
Subs (not used): Mannion, Gough, Laqeretabua, Fullah
Goal: Jones 45+1
Assist: Carey 45+1
Booked: Campbell 60 (foul on Harwood-Bellis), Docherty 62 (foul on Bragg), Ramsay 75 (foul on Robinson), Rankin-Costello 77 (foul on Robinson)
Southampton: Bazunu, Manning, Stephens (c), Harwood-Bellis, Armstrong (Downs 75), Azaz (Aribo 65), Scienza (Robinson 65), Wood, Fellows (Edwards 85), Jander, Bragg (Downes 75)
Subs (not used): McCarthy, Quashie, Fraser, Welington
Goals: Manning 14, Armstrong 16, Jander 20, Azaz 22, 44
Assists: Fellows 14, 44, Armstrong 20, 22
Referee: Stephen Martin
Attendance: 22,708 (3,080 from Southampton)