CHARLTON 3 HUDDERSFIELD 0

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE VALLEY

Former Charlton player and Manager Chris Powell said when the fixtures came out he had penciled this date in his diary.  He returned to his “Spiritual” football home, got a standing ovation and another round of applause in the third minute, but nothing else, as his Huddersfield side were put to sword by a rampant Charlton side, which outplayed them in every department.

Charlton were quick out of their blocks like a dog on a greyhound track, but all their early pressure did not yield much as the final ball was lacking the quality required. In the 20^th minute, James Vaughan was played in by Harry Bunn but the Charlton defence charged his shot down.

Minutes later, Igor Vetokele had a chance for Charlton but he could not sort out his feet in the Huddersfield area and hit a tame shot, which was easily gathered by Alex Smithies.    On the half hour mark, Ishmael Miller put the ball in the Charlton net, but he was adjudged to have fouled keeper Stephen Henderson and the goal was ruled out.

In the 33^rd minute, Charlton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Huddersfield area.  Up stepped Johann Gudmundsson, who curled the ball into the top left hand corner of Smithies’ goal to give Charlton the lead.  On the balance of play Charlton deserved to be in the lead.  In most games at home they have started sluggishly, but not today.

Just before the break, Vetokele should have doubled Charlton’s lead from a cross on the left but he did not connect the ball properly and his shot was saved.  In stoppage time of the first half Tony Watt drove into the Huddersfield area but his shot could only find the side netting.  Charlton led 1-0 at the break.

Just after the break, Charlton doubled their lead. After some neat football on the left wing, the ball found its way to Watt via Vetokele.  Watt hit a shot, which just about had enough power to beat Smithies.  Charlton simply carried on where they had left off in the first half.

Charlton were relentless and went looking for more goals. Just before the hour mark, Watt broke down the left and crossed to Vetokele in the Huddersfield area but he could not quite reach the ball. That would have sealed it for Charlton. Minutes later Smithies had a make a smart save from a Watt shot at his near post.

Next it was substitute Lawrie Wilson’s turn to have a shot, but Smithies saved it. The rebound fell to Yoni Buyens but his shot was wide.

Charlton took a breather from attacking and sat deep for a few minutes and Huddersfield nearly punished them. In the 70^th minute Murray Wallace hit a fierce shot but it was met by a stupendous save by Henderson who tipped the shot round the post from point blank range. Charlton cleared their lines, broke down the other end and the ball came to Watt who hit a screamer into the top corner to make the points safe for Charlton. That was Watt’s second goal of the game in which he had a virtuoso performance.

In stoppage time, substitute Chris Eagles hit a cross cum shot and Smithies just about dealt with it as he pushed the ball onto the post and collided with it as the same time.

At the final whistle the majority of the 25,545 all rose as one and gave their team a standing ovation in what was the perfect performance. There was still time for another ovation for Powell as he left the pitch.

The delightful Charlton Manager Guy Luzon said: “It was very important with a full stadium that the fans and the team went home happy.  I am happy and satisfied with the performance. We missed three or four goals but we are happy with the result. Tony Watt is a young player with a lot of potential. He has a lot of space to improve.  He played well today because he also worked hard in defence.  All the players played well today. ”

Chris Powell said: “We were second best all day today. My relationship with Charlton and how they are will not make me think any less of them. I am not surprised today. It was very touching and emotional for me. I wanted the start out of the way. I am employed by a different club now, but everyone has great memories. We needed to be on point today but we did not do that.”

Charlton move up to 12^th place in the Championship. They could not have asked for a better day with three points and a clean sheet.