Charlton 0-1 Peterborough - Addicks Robbed of Hard-Earned Point as Posh Continue Winning Start
Darragh MacAnthony Vs Roland Duchâtelet. One of the best owners in the Football League Vs one of the worst. MacAnthony is an owner any club would love to have in charge; willing to invest, cares about the club he owns and understands football; as well as being clear, open and transparent with fans. On the other side of the spectrum, Duchâtelet was, and still is, hated by fans of the clubs he owns. No investment and a failing European network led to Charlton's relegation from the Championship and halted any progress the club was making. After taking over the club in 2014, Charlton finished 9th in their first season back in the Championship, 3 points away from the Play-offs, after being crowned League One champions with a record 102 points the previous year under club legend, Chris Powell. Duchâtelet sacked Powell the following season when the club were in a relegation battle, but news leaked that Duchâtelet sacked Powell on the basis that he wouldn't use the system and players Duchâtelet insisted. This also led fan favourites, Dale Stephens, Yann Kermorgant and Michael Morrison to leave the club. Following a mediocre 2014/15 season, finishing in 12th place, Charlton were then relegated the following season in a calamitous and diabolical manner, with the joint lowest goal difference in the Championship and the joint second lowest in the EFL.
After a rather inconsistent start to the season, Charlton found themselves languishing in 12th position. The Addick's opening few games have been largely frustrating, and results have been shaped by late goals. Charlton started the season with a harsh, perhaps undeserved, opening day loss to Sunderland, in which the Mackems scored in the 96th minute to seal the winner. The Addicks then had a late winner of their own after beating Shrewsbury 2-1 with a 91st minute winner. The most recent result and perhaps the most frustrating, was a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley, where Charlton scored early, but again conceded late to drop two points. Despite the inconsistent start to the season, Lee Bowyer has done extremely well with a threadbare squad. Hopefully with a few more loan signings, Charlton can really get up and running for the season and push for Play-offs. The inconsistent results match the instability of the club at the moment. With takeover talks still apparently 'ongoing', Bowyer still hasn't been given a permanent role as manager and remains as head coach.
Meanwhile, Peterborough have been the polar opposite of inconsistent after an unbeaten start to the season, scoring 9 goals and conceding 3 in the process; albeit in just 3 games. Over the summer, Peterborough completely reshaped their squad, with 17 new arrivals and 22 departures, including the likes of last season's key players Jack Marriott and Gwion Edwards. The Posh finished just outside the Play-offs last year, and will look to go one step further this season. Promotion is the main aim and Peterborough are showing that they have the ability to push for automatic promotion instead of pushing for a Play-off spot, after their impressive opening to the season. Although, recently relegated Sunderland and Barnsley will be two of the favourites for automatics, as well as Portsmouth as they look to rise up the leagues to where they belong. However, while it is too early in the season to get a realistic view of who will likely be where for the coming season, the top 4 look set to be in for good seasons.
In what was a rather slow start for the Addicks, it was the visitors, Peterborough, who came the closest after the opening 20 minutes as Charlton captain Chris Solly was well-placed to clear Rhys Bennett's looping header off the line. The Posh continued to create good chances. Nottingham Forest loanee, Jason Cummings, had started the League One campaign in fine fashion with 3 goals his first 3 games, and looked to make it 4 in 4. After some quick feet and close control, he beat Darren Pratley and Solly and sent an effort towards goal, but a block saw it go behind for a corner. The Addicks were almost caught out from a long throw that bounced over Patrick Bauer and was nearly headed in by Matt Godden, but Dillon Phillips was there to claw away while Krystian Bielik dribbled away and cleared. Although, Charlton weren't being totally dominated as they threatened with chances of their own. Youngster Albie Morgan broke at pace and, despite having his shirt pulled, released Lyle Taylor through on goal who sent a low strike towards goal and forced Chapman into a good reaction save via a deflection.
The recent introduction of bookings to managers was in full effect as both Bowyer and Steve Evans were yellow carded for dissent come the final whistle after what was a fierce clash of personalities all evening. Bowyer being the first to receive a booking but could rightly feel unfairly treated as Evans and his coaching team had been contesting multiple decisions in the opening stages of the game. But Evans would finally be sanctioned as well following his behaviour in the tunnel at half-time.
Disgruntled Charlton Fans Protest Against Controversial Absentee Owner, Roland Duchâtelet
After a rather inconsistent start to the season, Charlton found themselves languishing in 12th position. The Addick's opening few games have been largely frustrating, and results have been shaped by late goals. Charlton started the season with a harsh, perhaps undeserved, opening day loss to Sunderland, in which the Mackems scored in the 96th minute to seal the winner. The Addicks then had a late winner of their own after beating Shrewsbury 2-1 with a 91st minute winner. The most recent result and perhaps the most frustrating, was a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley, where Charlton scored early, but again conceded late to drop two points. Despite the inconsistent start to the season, Lee Bowyer has done extremely well with a threadbare squad. Hopefully with a few more loan signings, Charlton can really get up and running for the season and push for Play-offs. The inconsistent results match the instability of the club at the moment. With takeover talks still apparently 'ongoing', Bowyer still hasn't been given a permanent role as manager and remains as head coach.
Meanwhile, Peterborough have been the polar opposite of inconsistent after an unbeaten start to the season, scoring 9 goals and conceding 3 in the process; albeit in just 3 games. Over the summer, Peterborough completely reshaped their squad, with 17 new arrivals and 22 departures, including the likes of last season's key players Jack Marriott and Gwion Edwards. The Posh finished just outside the Play-offs last year, and will look to go one step further this season. Promotion is the main aim and Peterborough are showing that they have the ability to push for automatic promotion instead of pushing for a Play-off spot, after their impressive opening to the season. Although, recently relegated Sunderland and Barnsley will be two of the favourites for automatics, as well as Portsmouth as they look to rise up the leagues to where they belong. However, while it is too early in the season to get a realistic view of who will likely be where for the coming season, the top 4 look set to be in for good seasons.
Charlton: Phillips; Bauer, Bielik, Sarr; Solly, Pratley, Morgan (Ajose, 66), Aribo, Page; Grant, Taylor
Peterborough United: Chapman, Naismith, Daniel, Woodyard (C), Tafazolli, O’Hara, Godden (Toney, 62), Dembele (Cooper, 83), Ward (Maddison, 62), Bennett, Cummings
A Combination of Chris Solly and Dillon Phillips Clear a Looping Header Off the Line
In what was a rather slow start for the Addicks, it was the visitors, Peterborough, who came the closest after the opening 20 minutes as Charlton captain Chris Solly was well-placed to clear Rhys Bennett's looping header off the line. The Posh continued to create good chances. Nottingham Forest loanee, Jason Cummings, had started the League One campaign in fine fashion with 3 goals his first 3 games, and looked to make it 4 in 4. After some quick feet and close control, he beat Darren Pratley and Solly and sent an effort towards goal, but a block saw it go behind for a corner. The Addicks were almost caught out from a long throw that bounced over Patrick Bauer and was nearly headed in by Matt Godden, but Dillon Phillips was there to claw away while Krystian Bielik dribbled away and cleared. Although, Charlton weren't being totally dominated as they threatened with chances of their own. Youngster Albie Morgan broke at pace and, despite having his shirt pulled, released Lyle Taylor through on goal who sent a low strike towards goal and forced Chapman into a good reaction save via a deflection.
The recent introduction of bookings to managers was in full effect as both Bowyer and Steve Evans were yellow carded for dissent come the final whistle after what was a fierce clash of personalities all evening. Bowyer being the first to receive a booking but could rightly feel unfairly treated as Evans and his coaching team had been contesting multiple decisions in the opening stages of the game. But Evans would finally be sanctioned as well following his behaviour in the tunnel at half-time.
Charlton Players in Absolute Disbelief as Peterborough are Awarded Controversial Last-Minute Penalty
Charlton were much more dominant in the second half and had a few chances to start the half. However, Peterborough came the closest to breaking the deadlock just after the hour mark. Ryan Tafazolli's clearance was well flicked on by Ivan Toney which released Siriki Dembélé one-on-one, but a fine save from Phillips denied the Posh and kept the score at 0-0. The Addicks then failed to dispossess Peterborough's Colin Daniel in midfield, and after beating Solly and Pratley, pulled of a few step-overs to create space for himself and take the ball away from Krystian Bielik, only to lash an effort just wide of the post. The Addicks continued to push for a winner as the game entered the last 10 minutes and came close on numerous occasions. 13 minutes from the final whistle, Jason Naismith almost steered Taylor's cross into his own net as the Charlton earned a corner. A minute later, Charlton came agonisingly close to a winner from the corner when Taylor's drilled shot was cleared off the line. on the 85th minute, Taylor threw himself at Joe Aribo's cross but Tafazolli narrowly beat Taylor to put the ball out for a corner.
All of Charlton's hard work would then be undone after whistle-happy referee, James Linington, awarded a dubious last-minute penalty after Toney and Lewis Page both contested a header from a Marcus Maddison cross. Linington was poor for the majority of the game, giving most decisions to the Posh. Cummings stepped up and converted the penalty, coolly dispatching to his left and sending Phillips the wrong way; sending Peterborough home with 3 points that would keep them top of the league. A cruel way to end the game that left Charlton fans, players and coaching staff livid. The Addicks had been unfairly robbed of a deserved point against the league leaders. Come the full-time whistle, Bowyer stormed towards the referee and his official for some stern words, supported by a chorus of "Bowyer, knock him out" from the aggravated Addicks faithful.
Jason Cummings Converts the Penalty to Seal Peterborough's Win that Keeps Posh Top of the Table
(Photo by Benjamin Peters, (Twitter, Flickr))
(Photo by Benjamin Peters, (Twitter, Flickr))
Charlton had every right to feel aggrieved as all their effort was rewarded nothing. While the first half was a rather even affair, the Addicks dominated the second half and defended well against quality, in-form opposition for the whole game. Charlton players can still hold their heads high as they took the league leaders all the way to the final minute and looked like they could get a result. Although, one negative aspect of the game and something that needs improving is Charlton's inability to finish as they lacked a clinical touch.
“I told them that they had been cheated, robbed, however you want to describe it, however you want to dress it up."
“The referee gave them absolutely everything all night and their manager was constantly on at the ref and I would think that he bullied him into that decision. It was the wrong decision, everyone could tell it was the wrong decision and I feel so sorry for the lads.” - Charlton Manager, Lee Bowyer
Meanwhile, Peterborough continue their unbeaten start to the season and remain at the summit of the League One table. While Charlton dominated the majority of the second half, the Posh still created multiple good chances that could have seen them break the deadlock earlier and defended well against a Charlton side full of pace.
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