Conor Gallagher’s third goal in five appearances led Charlton to a 1-0 victory over London rivals Brentford on Saturday afternoon. 

 

After going ahead through Gallagher’s goal in the first half, Charlton carried out a resilient defensive display which witnesses them climb up to 2ndin the table. 

 


First Half 

Lee Bowyer reinstated captain Jason Pearce, Jonny Williams and Darren Pratley to The Addick’s starting line-up following their midweek drew against Nottingham Forrest.
 
Brentford started the fixture on the front foot and as a result, created the best chances in the opening 15 minutes.
 
Sergi Canos caused problems for The Addicks and it was no surprise that the Spaniard came the closest to opening the scoring for the visitors on two separate occasions.
 
He first reacted quickest to a miscommunication between Dillon Phillips and Ben Purrington who left a looping ball for each other to collect, allowing Canos to sneak in behind and poke a shot towards goal which sailed over the bar.
 
Minutes later, Canos found himself on the end of Ollie Watkins’ cross from the right-hand side but the former Liverpool man’s header cleared the bar by meters.
 
However, Charlton managed to weather the Canos storm and teach Brentford a lesson in clinical finishing

 

Jonny Williams registered his fourth assist of the campaign when he managed to dispossess a Christian Norgaard on the high-press and slide in Conor Gallagher who excellently rifled the ball into the roof of the net to open the scoring for the hosts on 41 minutes. 

 

Gallagher’s goal caused The Valley to erupt and the fans maintained a high level of noise to ensure The Addick’s went into the break with the lead.   

 

Second Half 

 

Lee Bowyer introduced Tomer Hemed at the break for his Charlton debut to add some firepower up front but it was The Bees who added sting to their play as they looked to make amends from their previous missed opportunities.

 

However, it took the visitors 15 minutes to muster a clear opportunity when Ollie Watkins cut inside from the right and rasped a shot from outside the box which tested Phillips in the Charlton goal. 

 

Thomas Frank introduced Said Benrahma on the hour mark, and the Algerian had an instant impact to Brentford’s offensive play after he whizzed through Charlton’s midfield before firing a shot just wide of the post.

 

Brentford besieged The Addick’s 18-yard box for huge parts of the second-half but Charlton’s buoyant defence limited the Bees to only managing wayward shots from outside the area. 

 

Henrik Dalsgaard managed to conjure the most threatening opportunity for the Bees when his shot from 25-yards forced Dillon Phillips to dive down low and palm his effort out for a corner. 

 

Charlton clinched onto the three points for dear life as a trio of heroic blocks from point-blank range ensured that The Addick’s remain unbeaten in the Championship.  

 

 

Verdict 

 

Charlton have proved to be clinical in the first half of games this season, but their energy levels are never matched after the break. This week has witnessed The Addicks sit back on their 1-0 lead and allow the opposition to grow into the game. 

 

Today, their tactic played off but in midweek they were punished for it. It was a well-earned three points against Brentford today, but if Charlton continue to rest on their laurels in the second-half of games teams in the Championship will punish them. 

 

Teams 

 

Charlton: Phillips, Purrington,  Lockyer, Pearce, Oshilaja (Lapslie 33’) , Pratley, Cullen, Gallagher, Williams (Field 81’) , Leko (Hemed 45), Taylor. 

 

Subs:Amos, Bonne, Sarr, Oztumer.

 

 

Brentford: Raya, Henry (Mbumo 71’), Pinnock, Racic (Benrahma 60’) , Jansson, Dalsgaard (Mokotjo 60’), Norgaard, Jensen, Macondes, Canos, Watkins. 

 

Subs:Daniels, Dasilva, Clarke, Jeanvier. 

 

Attendance: 16,771.