Charlton began life anew in the Championship with a lot of hope and enthusiasm and perhaps a fair bit of trepidation. Nathan Jones would have surely been happy with the first half performance. Charlton got off to a quick start and were unlucky not to be ahead after multiple chances from Lloyd Jones (a volley and a header) that forced saves from the Watford keeper. Rob Apter caused trouble on the right, whipping in dangerous crosses to good effect. Sonny Carey had his moments, as did Tyreece Campbell. The Watford keeper, Egil Selvik kept them in it in the first half.
Defensively, Charlton’s tight, leak-free back line held firm, limiting Watford to counter attacks and only a few dangerous opportunities. Josh Edwards in particular was outstanding (at the back and going forwards).
In fact, it Watford had to wait until the opening minutes of the first half to record their first shot on target; a dangerous free kick that Imran Louza curled right into Thomas Kaminsky’s arms.
Not long after, Josh Edwards found himself on the counter lead to half a chance for a penalty when he was unfairly barged off the ball in the box, the defender making no effort to play the ball. This was the first of handful of calls that the referee failed to make.
Undeterred, the Addicks pushed on. Tyreece Campbell provided the outlet next, when he burst into the box, dragged back onto his left and fired a shot that was partially deflected by Charlie Kerman into the keeper’s path and pushed across the goal.
By sixty minutes, both sides showed tired legs. Watford made the first changes to renew their weary side, with Nathan Jones making the first of his changes a little after.
The Addicks, though tired, were still active on the press. Sonny Carey had a chance when he broke forward on another counter and forced a save at the near post.
Miles Leaburn came on to make his season debut, immediately proving a handful when he followed Carey’s earlier effort, breaking down the right. Not long after came Macauley Gillesphey and a slight change in formation. Harvey Knibbs, then Tanto Olaofe make their club debuts as substitutes, providing much needed fresh legs up front to compliment Leaburn and force the issue further in the dying stages.
The first half danger man, Rob Apter had another opportunity on 87’, wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending in a curling effort from eighteen yards that narrowly missed the top corner.
But it wasn’t all Charlton. Just a tick into added time, Watford broke on the counter and a mix up in defense almost lead to a penalty as an indecisive Kaminsky barreled into the oncoming attacker. No foul was called there, but Charlton were the beneficiaries when a foul was called on the Watford man in the next phase of play and the Addicks were able to reset.
Only moments later, Olaofe was brought down in the Watford box in what was a clear foul, only for the referee to ignore the infraction.
This match seemed to be set for a scoreless draw. But there was another twist before the final whistle. On 94’ Connor Coventry floated a very deep ball from a corner that looked to be wasted until Lloyd Jones rose at the back post to head it back into the fray. Harvey Knibbs pounced on it on the half volley, driving it past Selvik and into the back of the net in emphatic fashion.
The final whistle sealed the opening day victory, snapping Watford’s five game streak on opening day. It was a jubilant Valley and a real team effort that saw all three points and a clean sheet to mark the return to Championship football.
Charlton 1 Watford 0
Over to you.
Comments
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An unseen boom can be hear through the dense mass... A sound not heard since May... It seems the peace from the last few months has been broken... Why... Because... Watford... YOU'VE BEEN SUNK!!!!
Would have felt disappointed with a point after 90 mins based on the performance and buzzing with the late deserved winner.
Long way to go but a great start.
Good match, I thought even at 0-0 it was one of those games where it wasn't boring, despite the fact that no goals had been scored at the time, was just two teams who went for the win really.
We really should have been 1-0 up inside five mins, but one of those moments where the ball fell to the wrong man - Watford then took control and I feared the worst, but we weathered the "storm" and grew back into the match ourselves
Part of me could see the winner coming, but equally thought it could never happen... Part of Jones' ethic has been about fitness, we scored so many late goals last season because we were fitter than the opposition, and as the game drew to a close, we looked more dangerous.
Could be a big factor in the outcome of our season.
All respect to Watford though, and that really was a game I felt we couldn't afford to lose, not at the Valley... Don't need to be playing catch up to those we think will be around us, even at this early stage of the season. Whilst points on the road, will be hard enough as it is, meaning its so important that we turn the Valley into the Fortress again.
They had the Wrexham game on a big screen with 4 Wrexham fans watching.
I sat on my own with my grandson watching the Charlton game on a small screen.
The Hollywood bunch were giving it large from the minute they went one nil up.
We just stayed calm
That is until the closing moments of both games.
Absolutely fucking brilliant.
Oh we won.
AVE that you filthy northern Watfordians.
Genuinely loved watching that - was meant to be there but was up ill all night so woke up at 11:15 after 4 hours sleep. That was a lovely remedy for me feeling sorry for myself.
Wow, what a fantastic performance capped off by the late goal from Knibbs!
In honesty, I’d forgotten just how much the Championship has improved since we were last in it. And Watford were a big, strong team – no scrawny 18 year olds in this League. Yet we’ve more than matched them all game and had by far the best chances and been denied a blatant penalty. Looks like the refs are just as hopeless in this League.
Defensively, we looked just as strong as last year. And if we can carry on keeping clean sheets, it only needs one piece of brilliance to win the game.
Apter, Bell and Carey the pick of the newcomers. Kelman obviously needs more support before we see the best of him. Will be fascinating to see which of the forwardsstart the games as the season progresses.
And finally, well done Nathan Jones on his fist bumping celebrations aimed at the Watford supporters who had been giving him grief all game. Really annoyed the Watford players and started a bit of pushing and shoving between the sides at the end. The perfect end to a perfect start to the season!
COYRs
Clean sheet ✅
Relentless in the press ✅
Kept going right to the end as the opposition tired ✅
Jones is a monster ✅
Ramsay making it look easy ✅
Coventry everywhere✅
No way past Edwards ✅
Plus encouraging debuts from a lively Carey and Apter and a debut goal for the Knibbster.
Not sure how good Watford are but a very encouraging start. Sweet to be the only promoted team to win on the opening day.
Oh and how much more entertaining is Championship football?!? Brings home what a slog League One has been.