Charlton 5-1 MK Dons (From News Shopper)

Charlton 5-1 MK Dons

5:02pm Saturday 14th November 2009

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CHARLTON put their recent troubles well and truly behind them with an emphatic victory over promotion rivals MK Dons at The Valley.

The Addicks came from behind to hit five goals past Paul Ince’s side to close the gap on Leeds United at the top and reignite Charlton’s promotion bid.

Kelly Youga was dispossessed twice in quick succession on nine minutes and was fortunate Luke Chadwick couldn’t apply a final touch from the second cross into the danger zone.

However, they did fall behind moments later when Lloyd Sam completely missed David Mooney’s lay off and Aaron Wilbraham capitalised by lobbing Carl Ikeme from 20-yards, who was some way off his line.

MK Dons were unlucky not to But the Addicks were back on terms three minutes later when Nicky Bailey’s free-kick was knocked on into the path of Mooney and the on-loan Reading striker smashed a low shot beyond Willy Gueret.

MK Dons had a lucky escape when Deon Burton latched onto Christian Dailly’s long ball and Sol Davis knocked it beyond the keeper, but Davis recovered to scramble the danger away as the ball looked destined to hit the net.

Charlton took the lead in the 21st minute after Sam broke down the right and put in a low cross which was flicked on by Burton at the near post onto Bailey at the far post, who buried a header into the empty net.

Wilbraham headed into side-netting from three yards out and then MK Dons appealed in unison for a penalty two minutes later, claiming a Charlton player had handled in the danger zone.

The strong wind was doing neither side any favours, although Charlton almost benefited from it when Bailey’s 30-yard free-kick hit the bar with the keeper beaten.

Sam’s cross into the six yard box caused panic in the MK Dons defence as Mathias Kouo-Doumbe’s attempted clearance forced Gueret to produce a reflex save in order to prevent an own goal.

MK Dons remained a threat and only the quick-thinking of Ikeme kept out Wilbraham’s effort.

Mooney probably took one touch too many when he broke through in the 38th minute and the chance had gone.

The second half started scrappily with neither side able to retain possession in the gusty conditions.

Jason Puncheon’s low shot on 58 minutes was comfortably dealt with Ikeme, the first time either keeper had been really tested since the restart.

Sam Baldock had an effort from the edge of the area which just sailed wide of the post but it was Charlton who a added third on 65 minutes with their first real attempt of the second period.

Dailly’s free-kick was knocked down by Burton to Sam who took it down before smashing home with a powerful shot from 15-yards.

Sam could have made it four when he got on the end of Bailey’s 71st minute free-kick, only to be denied by Gueret.

However, it wasn’t long before goal number four did arrive as Sam Sodje climbed high to power in a header from Bailey’s corner.

Things got even better thre minutes later when Burton got on the end of Sam’s header to lob Gueret and grab Charlton’s fifth.

Sam Sodje almost made it six when he headed Bailey’s 83rd minute free-kick inches wide of the post, while substitute Grant Basey fired just over in the 90th minute.

Bailey almost repeated his long-range free-kick in stoppage time, forcing Gueret to push over his attempt from close to the halfway line.

It would have been the perfect ending to an impressive display and at least goes some way to erasing the painful memories of last Sunday’s FA Cup humiliation at Northwich.

Charlton: Ikeme, Richardson (Basey 63), Dailly, S Sodje, Youga, Sam, Semedo, Bailey, Racon, Burton (McKenzie 77), Mooney (A Sodje 77). Subs not used: Randolph, Llera, Shelvey, Wagstaff. Att: 17,188.

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