Charlton claimed back-to-back wins in the League for the first time this season with a 3-0 demolition of Portsmouth at The Valley on Monday evening.
Monday’s victory saw Charlton climb up into 10th place just two points off the playoffs thanks to goals from Corey Blackett Taylor and centre-half duo Ryan Inniss and Eoghan O’Connell.
Ben Garner made just one change to the team that steamrolled Exeter in a 4-2 thriller at The Valley just six days prior, with Blackett-Taylor replacing the injured Miles Leaburn. Charlton were set up in a classic 4-4-2 formation.
Instant Action
The visitors had the first opportunity of the game as striker Colby Bishop came close to netting his eighth goal of the campaign with a looping headed effort, but Addicks keeper Joe Wollacott got a hand to the ball and managed to palm it over the crossbar.
Despite this early Portsmouth pressure, it would be Charlton who would open the scoring moments after the quarter of an hour mark.
Ryan Inniss managed to wrestle free from former Addicks defender Michael Morrison to head home a brilliant cross from Scott Fraser and score his third goal in a Charlton shirt.
Two To The Good
The Addicks continued to knock on the door before adding their second, Fraser yet again playing an integral role in the build-up.
The Scotsman intercepted a poor ball from Josh Koroma and Charlton were able to counter, with the ball falling to Charlie Kirk who played a delightful weighted ball through to Corey Blackett-Taylor, with the winger finishing past the keeper before celebrating in front of the away fans.
Garner’s side came close to adding a third before half time when Crystal Palace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi picked up the ball out on the right. The 20-year-old charged at the Pompey defence before hammering an effort at the keeper’s palms.
Charlton went into the half time interval two goals up after a fantastic first half performance.
Seeing Red
At the start of the second half, Blackett-Taylor continued to run riot out on the left as he looked to add his second of the evening.
The 25-year-old cut in and shot from the touchline, with his thunderous effort tipped over by the Pompey keeper in the 54th minute.
An unfortunate day out for the visitors then got even worse as they were reduced to ten men, Marlon Pack was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Scott Fraser just minutes after the hour mark.
Fantastic Fraser
From the resulting set piece, Charlton added their third and Fraser claimed his second assist. Another top-notch delivery into the box from the Scotsman found Eoghan O’Connell, who headed past the keeper and netted his first Charlton goal.
The match ended 3-0 as the Addicks saw out the victory and sealed a big 3 points against strong opposition in Portsmouth.
What’s Next?
Monday’s victory sees Charlton extend their impressive home record to nine games unbeaten in SE7. Attention turns to the weekend where the Addicks will travel to Shropshire as they face 8th place Shrewsbury Town.
Edited by Josh Morton
