Stoke City 3 Charlton 0
The Addicks fell to defeat on the road as Stoke City moved to second in the Sky Bet Championship.
The nature of the goals Charlton conceded in the first-half were unusual, with Sorba Thomas finding the net with two crosses from the Stoke left and Million Manhoef scoring after referee Tom Nield appeared to miss a clear foul in the build-up.
Despite that, the Addicks, still suffering injuries to a number of key players, were never really able to find a footing in the game and struggled to trouble Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
It was a horror start for the Addicks, who conceded in the third minute in bizarre fashion. Thomas’ attempted left-footed cross from near the touchline on the Stoke left arrowed into the top corner of Thomas Kaminski’s goal, with the Charlton stopper well beaten.
The hosts doubled their lead two minutes later, benefiting from what looked like a foul on Lloyd Jones in the build-up that left Stoke in a three-on-two attack. Manhoef took full advantage, cutting inside from the right wing to power a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from just inside the Charlton penalty area.
The Addicks, who had started in what looked like a 3-4-2-1 formation, reverted to a back four but were unable to wrestle control of the game.
Thomas scored his second of the match with another cross, this time an in-swinging delivery with his right foot. While Kaminski was well beaten by the first, he may feel he could have done more to keep out the second.
The Addicks’ only shot of a tough first half was a half-volley from Sonny Carey that was well blocked by a Stoke defender.
Nathan Jones’ side had a couple of chances in the opening minutes of the second half. First, Miles Leaburn controlled Lloyd Jones’ knock-down, but his volley on the turn was comfortable for Johansson.
Tyreece Campbell’s cross from the right was then volleyed narrowly wide by Luke Berry.
At the other end, Kaminski did well to keep out Junior Tchamadeu’s powerful shot at the near post.
The Addicks, now 14th in the Championship, travel to the league leaders Coventry City on Saturday. Despite a tough couple of results, they remain just three points off a top-six place thanks to their excellent start to the season.
Charlton are back at The Valley on December 6th for the visit of Portsmouth. Click here to purchase your ticket.
Stoke City: Johansson, Thomas (Gallagher 78), Jungo, Bozenik (Mubama 88), Seko, Nzonzi (Rigo 78), Wilmot (c) (Lawal 45+3), Bocat, Tchamadeu, Phillips, Manhoef (Cisse 78)
Subs (not used): Bonham, Cresswell, Pearson, Taovierov
Goals: Thomas 3, 34 Manhoef 5
Assists: Bocat 3, Thomas 5, Bae 34
Booked: Phillips 51 (foul on Leaburn)
Charlton: Kaminski; Ramsay, Jones, GIllesphey; Bree, Coventry (Rankin-Costello 61), Docherty (c) (Knibbs 60), Campbell (Olaofe 61); Carey, Berry (Anderson 76); Leaburn (Apter 76)
Subs (not used): Mannion, Gough, Bell, Fullah
Booked: Coventry 31 (foul on Tchamadeu)
Referee: Tom Nield
Attendance: 21,105 (919 from Charlton)
