CHARLTON 1 BLACKBURN 2

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE VALLEY

Charlton athletic, who appear to be the draw specialists in the Championship were knocked out by a tactically and adventurous Blackburn Rovers side.  The low turnout of the crowd indicated where Charlton’s priority lies this season.  This was the second time Blackburn had put the Londoners to the sword in as many days as they had beaten them comfortably in the league just before Christmas at Ewood Park.

In the opening minutes the Addicks captain Johnnie Jackson played a through ball to Simon Church but the Blackburn keeper Simon Eastwood was quick to the ball and gathered it before Church could shoot.   A minute later, Blackburn went down the other end and a cross from the right by Ben Marshall was met with a sweet header by Chris Taylor, which nestled in the net to give the visitors from Lancashire the lead. Charlton had been caught cold.

The Blackburn keeper was very fortunate as he cleared a back pass, which was charged down by George Tucudean but it went out of play. Johann Gudmundsson had a chance to bring Charlton level but he dragged his shot wide.

Just before the midway point of the half, Jackson, under pressure skied his shot over the bar.  Blackburn Rovers were neat and tidy. They kept possession well, pressured the Charlton players when they did not have the ball. Veteran David Dunn was running the show in midfield.

Just on the half hour mark, the floodlights went out and the referee led both teams to the dressing room, pending the time power was restored. Power was restored within ten minutes.

Church broke down the left and crossed the ball to Yoni Buyens, whose shot was deflected over the bar.  The forced break due to the power failure did not affect Blackburn’s passing and they looked the likely team to get the next goal.  They went into the break 0-1 up.

Early in the second half, Tom Cairney fouled Gudmunsson near the Blackburn area.  Gudmunsson dusted himself down and calmly curled the ball into the bottom corner of Eastwood’s goal to draw Charlton level.

Within a minute, Blackburn took the lead again. Lee Williamson played the ball to Chris Brown down the left who put crossed the ball to the unmarked Taylor, who blasted the ball past the helpless Neil Etheridge.  That was Taylor’s second goal of the game.

Charlton responded as substitute Karlan Ahearne-Grant broke down the left and crossed the ball into the box but Tucudean’s header was just wide of the post.

Charlton were reduced to ten men in the 72^nd minute as Buyens picked up a second yellow card and red card in the space of a few minutes.  The first was for dissent and the second was for a reckless tackle.

Blackburn who already dominated possession before the numerical advantage continued to run rings around Charlton as they moved the ball quickly from side to side forcing the London team to chase shadows at times.  After a number of passes, the ball fell to Cairney in the box who almost took off the crossbar with his ferocious shot.

In stoppage time Andre Bikey-Amougou abandoned his defensive duties as he went up front to try and salvage the tie.  He did more than all the forward line managed to do in the little time he spent up front.

As the final whistle went there was a chorus of boos at the Valley as Charlton limped out of the FA Cup. On the balance of play Blackburn were well worth their win.

Back in the day this used to be a Premiership fixture. Blackburn will hope that they draw one of the big boys in the next round when the draw is made.