REPORT | Charlton 1 Leeds United 0

It was a dream full league debut for Macauley Bonne who scored the only goal as the Addicks beat promotion favourites Leeds United 1-0 at The Valley.

The summer signing from Leyton Orient gave Charlton a 32nd minute lead and coupled with some brave defending the Addicks were able to return to winning ways securing an important three points.

Bonne replaced the injured Tomer Hemed while Chris Solly returned to the starting lineup in place of Deji Oshilaja as Charlton Manager Lee Bowyer made two changes to the side that played Wigan Athletic last weekend. 

Leeds started the game quickly and forced three corners in the opening two minutes. After the early pressure the Addicks settled into the game but were grateful to Jonathan Leko who cleared a 23rd minute strike from Ezgjan Alioski that looked destined for the bottom corner. 

From the resulting corner Dillon Phillips had to be at his best to deny Patrick Bamford, as he got down low quickly to push away after the ball had hit the striker’s head.  

The Addicks took a 32nd minute lead through Bonne. The summer signing deserved the goal after some industrious work down the right won the home side a corner. Josh Cullen’s whipped corner was met by Tom Lockyer’s right foot and directed at goal. The ball hit Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla and a defender before hitting Bonne and going into the visitors’ goal. 

Charlton kept the Leeds quiet going in to half time with Helder Costa coming closest with the volley that cleared Phillips’ crossbar.

The first half performance of the Addicks forced Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa into a double substitution at half time with Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah and experienced midfielder Adam Forshaw coming on for the visitors. 

The first chance of the second half came to Charlton when a 25-yard free kick from Cullen was comfortably saved by Casilla.

At the other end Darren Pratley got a very important touch to send a Costa cross behind for a corner with Nketiah and Bamford lurking, waiting to tap into the goal. 

As the game went on, tempers flared but the Leeds chances became less and less.

Nketiah did have a chance of his own with five minutes remaining though when he found himself free at the back post but the youngster dragged his effort wide.  

Leeds increased the pressure in stoppage time but the Addicks were able to hold on with some brave defending akin to the blocking that saw off Brentford at The Valley in August. 

Charlton: Phillips; Solly (C), Lockyer, Sarr, Purrington; Pratley, Cullen, Gallagher (Pearce 86), Williams (Aneke 55); Bonne (Field, 82), Leko

Subs (not used): Amos, Oshilaja, Forster-Caskey, Oztumer 

Goal: Bonne 32

Booked: Lockyer (66, push on Bamford), Pratley (70, foul on Nketiah), Solly (90+5, timewasting)

Leeds United: Casilla, White, Cooper (C), Bamford (Roberts, 69), Alioski (Forshaw 46), Dallas, Costa, Harrison, Phillips, Klich, Shackleton (Nketiah 46)

Subs (not used): Miazek, Douglas, Beradi, Clarke

Booked: Bamford (66, foul on Gallagher)

Referee: John Brooks

Attendance: 21,808 (3,179 from Leeds)

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