Sheffield United 0 Charlton 1
Tanto Olaofe scored a late winner in front of the travelling Addicks as Charlton secured a 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
In a tense game the Addicks had looked the most likely, despite the hosts superior possession numbers, and Olaofe's first goal for the club gave Nathan Jones' side a much-deserved three points.
The scene seemed set for Sheffield United, who had appointed Chris Wilder earlier this week for his third spell in charge, and 30,185 packed inside the historic stadium for the occasion.
Nathan Jones made two changes to the lineup that took on Millwall at The Valley last weekend with Reece Burke and James Bree making their full Charlton debuts in place of the suspended Kayne Ramsay and Rob Apter who moved to the bench.
Despite the excited home crowd, the Addicks started the game brightly and had the first chance in the second minute when Greg Docherty won the ball well and released Charlie Kelman just inside the opposition half. The striker drove forward and dragged a shot across goal which went just wide of the far post.
While the home side were having much of the possession the Addicks looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Tyreece Campbell was next to shoot just wide after a clever pass down the line to him from his strike partner Kelman.
Sheffield United’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute when a short corner kick freed up space for Gustavo Hamer on the edge of the area. The talented midfielder’s fizzed shot hit Bree, going just wide of goal.
The home side’s goalkeeper, Michael Cooper, made a wonderful save to keep the scores level three minutes before the break. Conor Coventry’s excellent cross from the right wing was met by Lloyd Jones at the back post, which Cooper, diving at full stretch, was just able to palm away from goal.
In stoppage time in the opening half Blades skipper Japhet Tanganga made an excellent block to keep out Sonny Carey’s volley after a clever knock-down from Bree at the back post.
Sheffield United’s Tyrese Campbell had a great chance to open the scoring two minutes into the second half when the ball fell to him in the penalty area but Josh Edwards stood strong to block his shot.
Docherty, who was outstanding throughout in a real captain's performance, twice headed wide getting on the end of crosses from the right.
The Charlton pressure amped up as the game continued with Nathan Jones' game-changers having a positive impact.
Miles Leaburn forced another good save from Cooper and Bree blasted over when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area.
It was the first minute of stoppage time that Olaofe netted the winner. Leaburn flicked on well under pressure and Harvey Knibbs headed into the path of Bree on the right wing. The summer signing calmly passed across goal for Olaofe who finished well from close range.
The win moves Charlton up to 11th in the Championship, ahead of the visit of Blackburn Rovers to The Valley next week.
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Sheffield United: Cooper, Tanganga (c), Godfrey (Seriki 67), Hamer, O’Hare (Chong 73), Burrows, Ogbene (Barry 67), Campbell (Cannon 73), McGuinness, Matos (Soumare 89), Peck
Subs (not used): Davies, McCallum, Mee, One
Booked: Hamer 41 (foul on Bree)
Charlton: Kaminski; Burke, Jones, Bell; Bree, Carey (Knibbs 79), Coventry, Docherty (c), Edwards; Kelman (Leaburn 61), Campbell (Olaofe 79)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, Rankin-Costello, Fullah, Anderson, Apter
Goal: Olaofe 90+1
Assist: Bree 90+1
Booked: Bell 39 (delaying throw-in), Bree 77 (foul on Hamer), Olaofe 90+1 (celebrating)
Referee: Ben Toner
Attendance: 30,165 (1,954 from Charlton)
