FORGET the November 5 celebrations, the real fireworks were on show at Highbury last Sunday as an incredible 18-minute goalscoring spree saw Charlton record a remarkable 4-2 win against Arsenal.

The victory, the Addicks first at Highbury in 46 years, came after an opening half-hour in which the Gunners could have the matched the five goals they knocked past Dean Kiely last season.

But after Steve Brown notched Charlton's 100th Premiership goal with a fine header, suddenly the Addicks sparked into life and further strikes from Claus Jensen, with an audacious right-wing chip, Jason Euell and an absurd Richard Wright own goal left the title challengers reeling.

Thierry Henry did manage to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot after he had collapsed theatrically after a fair challenge from Fish after 60 minutes, but the result still equalled Arsenal's worst loss at home since 1964.

It could have all been so different, though. When Henry opened the scoring after just six minutes with a left-footed shot, Arsenal had already hit the post and had another shot cleared off the line by Paul Konchesky.

It was a time for stout defending. The exceptional Mark Fish and Steve Brown hurled themselves at anything in a red shirt.

When goalkeeper Dean Kiely made a great save from Bergkamp only for Martin Keown to fire the rebound over the bar, and then Mark Kinsella cleared a Henry header off the line, the Addicks started to believe it could their day.

Manager Alan Curbishley said: "We made the worst possible start, but after that there was some great defending and we made them pay for not putting away their chances.

"It was a crazy result. They're a wonderful side, but this could be the result that kick-starts our season."

November 6, 2001 10:05