Charlton win all the battles

Charlton beat Rochdale 2-0 this afternoon at the Crown Oil Arena.  The goals came in the first half from Aneke and Oshilaja.  Charlton were in control of the game from start to finish.   Playing against the strong wind in the second half, the Addicks did not score again but were able to deal with Rochdale's pressure.  

Everyone in the team contributed.   Curbs said afterwards, 'They won all the battles in every department.'

Lee Bowyer said afterwards: 'We did the basics today well from start to finish, created chances.  Nit picking should have more, [but] I'm happy.'   More comments from Bowyer (who then had to start his night shift in a mini cab office) here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/deji-oshilaja-had-been-knocking-on-my-door-and-asking-for-his-chance-charlton-manager-lee-bowyer/

On six minutes Purrington found Millar who made a great run and fed Aneke who turned brilliantly to score the opener.

Dale tried to get back into the game and Amos read the ball well.   Pearce cut out a dangerous cross.  Purrington made a great tackle.  An effort from Millar was deflected and went off the crossbar.

Charlton worked well on their left and Purrington won the corner.   A header from Stockley was tipped off the bar, Forster-Caskey recovered the ball, Pearce passed it on and Oshilaja made it 0-2 on 27 minutes.

Charlton went to sleep for a minute and Pearce defended well.   On 33 minutes Aneke struck from distance but the ball came off the post.   Oshilaja defended a counter attack well.

Millar was brought down in the area and there should have been a penalty for Charlton, but the referee paid no attention.

Baah had been kept quiet and a shot from him went harmlessly over.

Gunter won Charlton a corner from a Forster-Casker ball, but Stockley headed over.

HT: 0-2

Purrington headed away an early Rochdale corner.   Charlton launched a good attack, but Millar was off target.

A Rochdale free kick came off the wall and led to a corner.   Baah fell over, but Millar ran forward with the ball.   Gunter got a yellow card.   Rochdale made a double substitution on 59 minutes.

Manchester City prospect Baah started to look more lively and a Rochdale corner came off the post, possibly helped there by Amos.   On 67 minutes Dale made two more substitutions, bringing on Conor Grant.

Following good work by Stockley, Aneke was up ended just outside the area and O'Connell received a yellow card.  Aneke took the free kick rather than Shinnie or Forster-Caskey and it went over the crossbar.

An Aneke shot was tipped past the post by the keeper, but the referee ruled that it was a goal kick.  On 77 minutes  Matthews and DJ came on for Gunter and Shinnie (who had played well).   DJ looked good.  Rochdale brought on their fifth substitute.

Danger man Humphrys put in a shot that Amos claimed at the second attempt.  Aneke turned provider for Millar who could have scored if he had shot straight away.  Oshilaja defended well.

On 85 minutes Schwartz replaced Aneke.   Dale applied some late pressure, but Charlton rode it out.

Oshilaja was man of the match.   Purrington also deserves praise for an excellent performance.

Desmond from Deal despairingly commented: 'Every time we think it is Bowyer's last game, he sneaks an away win.'