It was wet, wet, wet up in Sheffield for this afternoon’s encounter. Sheffield United looked to capitalise on the return of their prodigal son, manager Chris Wilder, whereas Nathan Jones’ side hoped to spoil the party. It was Charlton that got off to the better start.
Charlie Kelman and Tyreece Campbell had early chances on the break. Poor conditions with relentless rain made covering a lot of distance difficult and ultimately these came to nothing more than a bit of pressure on the home side’s fragile defenders.
Sheffield looked to exploit the gaps between the pressing Charlton lines, with Sydie Peck and Callum O’Hare providing useful link up play and Gus Hamer looking particularly dangerous.
Charlton’s best opportunities came late in the half.
On 42 mins Lloyd Jones forced a superb, acrobatic save from the Sheffield United keeper.
Sonny Carey came close with a flick in the box that was deflected away. It remained even at half time.
Second half the game drifted off into a scrappy mess.
On 82 mins James Bree put in a beautiful cross that Greg Docherty headed just over the bar.
Not long after, the Sheffield United back line gifted the ball to Miles Leaburn, but the resulting opportunity wasn’t enough to break the deadlock.
The breakthrough finally came on 89 minutes through a move that started with a Thomas Kaminsky goal kick. Substitute Harvey Knibbs headed on to James Bree, who swept the ball into Tanto Olaofe’s path to tap in from right in front of goal, through the keeper’s legs!
Charlton deserved a clean sheet today, working hard out of possession to ensure Sheffield United were limited to the odd chance. Only a mistake, or an unfortunate rain-related disaster threatened to ruin the performance. Amari Bell, on a yellow, provided a few heart-in-mouth moments, but he ultimately came through and played a big role in securing the win. It wasn’t a traditional smash and grab, it was a calculated battle and a well-deserved three points to spoil Wilder’s return.
Sheffield United 0 Charlton 1
Over to you.
Comments
Top half of the table and looking like we can definitely mix it in this division.
UTA!!!
Be nice if we could take more than one but this is still early season with a striker who doesn’t look confident. You hope that the goals will come more freely in the not too distant future
Reverse psychology always works on me.
https://x.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1969429964207313186
United getting to play at home, in the pouring rain, when they have just brought back a ‘club legend’ to manage them was always going to be a difficult task.
But Jones got the team and the subs spot on. Something he does more often than not.
More importantly, again, we made it look like we belong in this league. Cant see us threatening promotion, but I’m very hopefully that we will consolidate this year from what I’ve seen so far.
We're waiting
Sheffield United, wow. Based on that they really need Wilder to pull
off a miracle. So much quality in their squad but they looked horrendous.
Attacking wise we just shoot ourselves in the foot so often. If Jones can figure out how to make us better in the final 3rd we could be onto something this season.
https://x.com/cafcBrownsJFT97/status/1969433195490816236
He scored enough goals last season to show he knows where the net is when he gets the right service.
Onto the match what a fantastic way to finish, you can't beat a late winner especially away from home absolutely brilliant.
Safe travels home to all those who went today you did the club proud.
Onwards and upwards you Addick's.
If Jones can work out how to tweak our formation so that we can create more chances then who knows what's to come.
Safe trip home Addicks.
CTID
Hope the travelling Addicks didn't get too wet.
1-0ing our way to championship stability!