Charlton Athletic 1 Leeds United 0

What a great weekend to be an Addick. Leeds United, in almost everyone’s estimation, champions elect packed off back to Yorkshire by this never say die Charlton team, a team of mini-Lee Bowyer’s.

As expected we had to withstand a lot of possession based pressure from Leeds, but a lot of it was in non-threatening areas. Brentford for example carried more goal threat a few weeks back.

It was interesting to hear Marcelo Bielsa’s reaction afterwards. He was pretty incredulous to the defeat. Undoubtedly he’s a brilliant coach, but to guarantee promotion he needs to find a way to conquer damn right fighting spirit. That’s not to belittle Bowyer’s tactical ability during the game where Bielsa was forced to change his own formation to match us.

Bowyer is proving himself to be studious observer of the game, and our goal from a corner exposed one of Leeds’ few weaknesses.

He knew nothing about it, but what a moment for young Macauley Bonne, who ran his socks off upfront supported by an ambush of midfielders. Bonne went off with cramp, and with Hemed out, I wonder what Bow will do this week as I can’t see Bonne playing three on the spin.

We defended like champs, Lockyer immense, but a last word for those tigers in midfield. Carried by a ramped up Valley in the last ten minutes, they were led by 19-year old Conor Gallagher whose maturity and ability belies the fact he had not played a professional first team game until a couple of months ago.

After two defeats and no goals, this week was the ultimate test but we passed the first paper.

Addicks at The Valley: And Nothing Else Matters; Doctor Kish; Drinking During the Game;
Bow: “But we held our own and tactically got it spot on. I can’t praise my players any more – they are a group that never says die. To get three points just shows how far we have come as a club.”
Elsewhere: Forest won at Stoke to keep them bottom on the same points as Huddersfield who drew with Millwall. Barnsley were beaten by Brentford despite taking the lead in the first minute.
Photo: @K_AndrewsPhotos