Charlton 1 Middlesbrough 2
On an emotional night at The Valley, where the club celebrated the life of iconic supporter Norman Barker, the Addicks were beaten 2–1 by second-placed Middlesbrough, despite a late push for an equaliser.
Barker, who sadly passed away on Saturday, was honoured by both sets of supporters in a classy pre-match tribute.
The visitors struck twice in the first half, but Nathan Jones’ game-changers impacted the momentum and, after George Edmundson’s 81st-minute own goal, the home side created chances to draw level.
Middlesbrough started brightly and Thomas Kaminski was forced into action early to keep Charlton in the contest. The Charlton goalkeeper produced an excellent diving save to his right to deny Hayden Hackney’s left-footed effort from outside the box, before more comfortably stopping Matt Targett’s long-range attempt.
At the other end, Sonny Carey tested Sol Brynn with a powerful strike from just outside the area, which the visiting goalkeeper gathered after parrying.
Targett then struck the side netting and Kaminski did well to block Tommy Conway’s effort with his legs.
Middlesbrough took the lead in the 34th minute when they won possession in the Charlton half. Delano Burgzorg cut the ball back from the right for the arriving Riley McGree, who finished confidently.
Moments later, Charlton felt they should have had a penalty when Luke Berry appeared to be sandwiched between two defenders, but referee Oliver Langford waved away appeals.
James Bree later fired over after meeting a partially cleared corner that had been won by Tyreece Campbell.
The visitors doubled their advantage via a swift counter-attack in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. McGree released Morgan Whittaker, who drove a low shot across goal and beyond Kaminski.
Nathan Jones reshaped his midfield at the break, introducing Greg Docherty, Karoy Anderson and Ibrahim Fullah, bringing added intensity to Charlton’s second-half performance.
Kaminski denied McGree again with his legs before Berry’s long-range effort drifted wide.
Fullah then danced into the Middlesbrough penalty area and forced a good save from Brynn, who pushed the academy graduate’s shot behind for a corner.
Luke Ayling came close when his flicked header dipped late and clipped the crossbar.
Charlton pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining. Lloyd Jones won possession and released Rob Apter down the right. Apter beat his man and delivered a powerful right-footed cross, which, under pressure from Miles Leaburn, deflected off Edmundson and into his own net.
The Addicks’ best chance to equalise fell to Tanto Olaofe in the 90th minute, but his half-volley from Macaulay Gillesphey’s long ball drifted wide.
Charlton will look to return to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to face Birmingham City.
Nathan Jones' side are back at The Valley on Saturday, December 20th for the visit of Oxford United. Click here to get your tickets.
Charlton: Kaminski; Bree (Apter 78), Jones (c), Gillesphey, Ramsay; Coventry (Docherty 46), Knibbs (Fullah 46), Carey (Anderson 46), Berry (Olaofe 67); Leaburn, Campbell
Subs (not used): Mannion, Gough, Roussillon, Rankin-Costello
Goal: Edmundson (own goal) 81
Assist: Apter 81
Booked: Knibbs 31 (foul on Hackney), Bree 38 (foul on Bangura), Docherty 75 (foul on Burgzorg). Ramsay 82 (foul on Browne)
Middlesbrough: Brynn, Brittain, Targett, Jones, Hackney (c), McGree (Browne 72), Conway (Nypan 72), Burgzorg (Sene 89), Whittaker (Edmundson 63), Gilbert, Bangura (Ayling 63)
Subs (not used): McLaughlin, Hamilton, Silvera, Patterson-Powell
Goals: McGree 34, Whittaker 45+4
Assists: Burgzorg 34, McGree 45+4
Booked: Gilbert 69 (kicking the ball away)
Referee: Oliver Langford
Attendance: 17,258 (2,457 from Middlesbrough)
