Chris Powell's barmy army

That was the chant that echoed round The Valley today as Charlton convincingly defeated Carlisle 4-0, the clean sheet being due to a penalty saved by Ben Hamer.   The Charlton manager accepted the plaudits of the crowd afterwards and perhaps doubters are being to accept that he has what it takes to be a manager.  Of course, we have two tricky away games coming up and our rivals for the top slot won, but for now we remain top of the league.

I had wondered if Hayes and Wagstaff ought to return to the starting line up, but Chris Powell stayed with Kermorgant and Green and his faith was rewarded, the Breton scoring two goals while Green was much improved.   Stephens was not available following the birth of his child overnight and Hughes replaced him.

Admittedly, Carlisle were let down by their porous defence, their keeper slinking away at the end of the game, while their shots on goal were often wayward, but the Addicks displayed considerable fluency and creativity in their passing, albeit helped by the visitors being reduced to ten men before the break.

The match got off to a slow start, in part because the referee blew up for three free kicks in the first few minutes.   Hughes also went down and required some treatment.  However, I thought we were a bit sluggish to start with.   Wright-Phillips laid off a good ball to Green, but he was unable to capitalise on it.   Wright-Phillips burst through, but seemed to think that he might be offside and didn't use the opportunity.

A good cross from Wiggins allowed Kermorgant to score with a header after 13 minutes.  Collin in the Carlisle goal was furious with his defence.   There had been much talk in the week from Carlisle of unsettling 'fragile' Charlton with an eary goal, but the boot was on the other foot.

Matt Robson for Carlisle was given a yellow card for a foul.   Hamer made a bit of a mess of a Carlisle corner, leading to a second, but this was easily cleared.

On 20 minutes Wright-Phillips made use of a clearance to score the second.   Great work by Wiggins played the ball along the line.  An effort by Wright-Phillips was cleared off the line, but Kermorgant was there to make use of the rebound to make the scoreline 3-0.   The Bloke Behind Me mused that we might get away with 3-3.

A cynical foul on the advancing Wright Phillips by Matt Robson saw the Cumbrian charm merchant sent off for a second bookable offence.

Half time: Addicks 3, Carlisle 0

Carlisle took off Liam Noble and brought on Lubomir Michalik after the break.   Hollands saw a scoring opportunity and advanced on goal, sending his shot through the legs of the hapless keeper to make it 4-0.

The lino then spotted a cross hit someone's hand and the referee awarded a soft penalty.   However, justice was done when James Berrett's effort was saved by Hamer.

Hughes made a good run and put in a cross that led to a Charlton corner.   However, one got the sense that Charlton were taking their foot off the gas in the second half.

A great save by a Carlisle defender using his hands produced a good case for a penalty, but the referee took no action, no doubt feeling sorry for the visitors.

Green and Hollands were withdrawn and Wagstaff and Euell came on.   Carlisle made their last two substitutions and their day was summed up when the board called for number 13 to come off and be replaced by number 13.

There was an outbreak of handbags at six paces over a Carlisle free kick and Kermorgant and Craig Curran received yellow cards.  The free kick went way over.    Zoko was given a yellow card for a two footed challenge from behind on Hayes which arguably should have been a red.

On the underground someone said to me, 'You had a good result.   We dropped two points.'   I wondered which team this was: it was Leyton Orient where Super Kevin Lisbie had got the equaliser for the O's.   Curiously enough, Charton and the O's were the only teams playing at home in London on Saturday.

606 had two calls about Charlton, one was a discussion of the phenomenon of negativity at The Valley in the context of a similar trend at Wolves.  

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Yann Kermorgant not just for his two goals, but for some good defensive work and some nice lay offs of the ball.  Hamer deserves full credit for the penalty save, although he did flap once or twice at crosses and his distribution needs improving.  He was not helped in the first half by having the sun in his eyes and I was surprised he did not wear a cap.  Solly justified his recall.  Wiggins was once again highly professional, defending effectively and getting forward well.   Once again Morrison and Taylor provided a solid central defence. Jackson was not outstanding, but he fully justified his place.   Called into the squad with Stephens evidently not available, Hughes did a good job, energetically involved, chasing down balls and providing a great bicycle kick at one point.  Hollands scored a great goal and generally played his part.  Green provided some good crosses and received a standing ovation from many fans when he was taken off.   The Carlisle keeper said before the game that he feared Wright-Phillips and with good reason as the striker latched on to balls well and also laid off the ball well to his fellow players.   Wagstaff was energetic when he came on, linked up well and got the ball forward, but did not have the opportunity to make a decisive difference.   Euell got involved, but not to any great effect/  Hayes was rather disappointing.

Juneau the Soccer Cat was driven to distraction by the referee's fondness for his whistle and has given him the Hiss of the Match.  Apparently he does a stint as a guard on a preserved railway now and then.