Charlton 1 Birmingham City 0
Charlton were excellent as they ended the unbeaten start of league leaders Birmingham City with a comfortable 1-0 win at The Valley.
The visitors hardly tested Nathan Jones’ side and were limited to just three shots, with none on target, while Matty Godden netted his fourth goal of the season to secure three points for the Addicks.
Charlton showed their intent right from kick-off, winning a first-minute corner with a high press. From the resulting set-piece the Addicks created a dangerous crossing opportunity for Karoy Anderson, who wasn’t quite able to find a teammate’s head.
Four minutes later and Daniel Kanu’s cross found Godden who swept over from inside the area.
After the early onslaught the game settled and Charlton were able to limit the visitors' threat. The Addicks' press continued to cause havoc, with Greg Docherty winning the ball high up the pitch and Allan Campbell driving a powerful shot, from 25 yards out, just over the crossbar.
Kanu, who was outstanding with his pressing, could have put the Addicks 1-0 up just before the break. The striker capitalised on a short back pass, rounded keeper Ryan Allsop and, from the byline, shot just wide of the open goal and just ahead of his teammate Anderson, who was in a great position to tap in.
Charlton’s first-half performance forced Birmingham boss Chris Davies into three half-time changes as he looked to change the flow of the contest.
It didn’t halt the Addicks progression though and Godden gave Charlton a deserved lead eight minutes into the second period. The goal came from a long throw from the left by Josh Edwards, which bounced in the box. There was still plenty for Godden to do, with the former Coventry City man doing brilliantly to control a first-time shot on the swivel into the bottom corner of the Birmingham net.
The Charlton endeavour continued with the table toppers unable to create even a half-chance after the break.
The Addicks are next in action against Stockport County at The Valley on Saturday, October 19th. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, A.Mitchell, Jones, Edwards (Small 86); Coventry, Docherty (c), Anderson, A.Campbell (Berry 86); Kanu (T.Campbell 63), Godden (Aneke 72)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Leaburn
Goal: Godden 54
Assist: Edwards 54
Booked: Ramsay 6 (foul on May), Coventry 81 (time-wasting), A.Campbell 85 (foul on Sampsted)
Birmingham City: Allsop; Gardner-Hickman (Sampsted 75), Klarer, Bielik (c) (Davies 46), Cochrane; Paik, Iwata; Willumsson (Dykes 60), May (Wright 46), Anderson (Hansson 46); Stansfield
Subs (not used): Peacock-Farrell, Leonard
Booked: Anderson 31 (foul on Ramsay)
Attendance: 16,250 (3,155 away)
Referee: Benjamin Speedie