Charlton vs Birm’ham
Sky Bet Ch’boat
3:00pm Saturday 14th September
The Valley
(Att: 18752)
Charlton missed the chance to go high in their Sky Bet Championship since they were defeated 1-0 from Birmingham .
A goal by old debutant Jude Bellingham was enough to derail the south London side, who dropped the very first time this year.
Charlton were already weakened using talisman Lyle Taylor missing whilst playing Monserrat, after picking up a knock at the week, before kick-off.
Although neither side created much in the manner of opportunities in the opening stage, the first half-chance dropped to the hosts once Chris Solly fired after 23 seconds from just inside the box.
A diving header over the mark by Tomer Hemed went wide of the post, although space was discovered by Jonathan Leko following 34 minutes but fired his campaign off-target.
Birmingham started to presson, and over the crossbar Lukas Jutkiewicz forced goalkeeper Dillon Phillips to tilt after 39 minutes.
The visitors took the lead seven minutes after the restart when Maxime Colin squared to Kerim Mrabti, who slid the ball to fire home to the centre of the region for Bellingham.
Charlton decided when Jonny Williams replaced Erhun Oztumer just before the hour mark.
The hosts started to press, however, Birmingham still looked dangerous. Colin discovered Jutkiewicz, who once again watched Phillips nudge his shot over the woodwork and engineered a yearlong run after 65 minutes.
Charlton made a second shift together with Sam Field making way for Chuks Aneke.
If he did well to block a drive lee Camp made his first real save a minute later.
The Birmingham keeper was again called into action if a low push switched away by Conor Gallagher.
The home team made their third and final change of the afternoon after 78 minutes when Beram Kayal substituted Leko.
With two minutes of regulation time remaining, Hemed put the ball from five yards out once Aneke fed him.
Referee Matthew Donohue allowed half an injury time but caused controversy after he dismissed Charlton manager Lee Bowyer in the touchline.
Despite Phillips heading up front in the dying moments of the game, the lone hit by Bellingham was enough for Birmingham to claim the win.