They were an immense force on the road last season, but Charlton fans will be hoping their team can continue to collect points at The Valley this term after they conceded another four goals away from home on Saturday in a one-sided contest at the City of Manchester Stadium. What a difference three days make? Lindsay McCombie reports.

If you were to compare the Charlton side that cruised to a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday, to the one that suffered a 4-0 beating on Saturday, two words would spring immediately to mind: 'Jekyll' and 'Hyde'.

The Addicks were unchanged after the midweek triumph, yet they were unrecognisable as the same set of players against Manchester City.

And the team that was confident going forward - enough to score three good goals - and competent in defence - keeping a clean sheet - at The Valley, looked like it had stayed there and forgetten to travel north.

The clinical finisher Nicolas Anelka netted twice, once in each half, with England players Trevor Sinclair and the outstanding Shaun Wright-Phillips also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Charlton created chances at critical moments but failed to finish them off - to their eventual cost.

Prior to kick-off, under-fire Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan had bemoaned his side's lacklustre start to the new Premiership season after the Blues had picked up just one point from a possible nine.

But the home side produced a fine attacking display at the City of Manchester Stadium, with hitman Anelka and young England international Wright-Phillips shining for City, as the Addicks hardly threatened in front of goal and their defence fell into a complete state of disarray.

After an even start, City took the lead in the 13th minute through their predatory striker Anelka.

Former Addick Danny Mills advanced down the right, crossing for Robbie Fowler. The former Liverpool forward cleverly flicked the ball on for his teammate and Anelka twisted and turned, tricking Mark Fish, and struck the ball with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area.

The ball was driven low across the goalmouth and underneath the diving Dean Kiely to hit the inside of the post and give City the advantage.

The Addicks had a great chance to equalise six minutes later and, had they managed to level early on, it might have been a different match.

Hermann Hreidarsson took a throw in from the left, which Kevin Lisbie headed down to the feet of £2.5m midfielder Danny Murphy.

The former Liverpool man, playing in the centre of midfield with Jason Euell, was six yards from goal when he blasted his volley over the crossbar.

Charlton were left to rue that miss and with 35 minutes gone, City made it 2-0.

Diminutive winger Wright-Phillips, who recently scored on his senior debut for the national team, raced down the right flank after Fowler's pass, beating defender Jonathan Fortune, which allowed him to send a powerful cross in the penalty box.

The ball fell to Luke Young, two yards from the goalline, who attempted to control the ball, but the right-back was unlucky to slip in doing so and fall to the floor.

Addicks number one Kiely reacted quickly and kicked at the loose ball, but it went straight at Sinclair and rebounded into the net from close range. Kiely did manage to get a hand to the ball, but the disappointment on his face said it all as he picked it up out the back of his net.

At half-time Mancunian boxer Ricky Hatton came on to the pitch to make the customary prize draw. Unlike the light-welterweight, Charlton were lacking in punch in the first 45 minutes and the South-East Londoners needed inspiration from somewhere.

But Alan Curbishley elected to make no changes during the break.

It didn't seem to matter though, and minutes after the restart, Francis Jeffers - who scored his first two goals for the club the previous midweek - had a great chance to pull one back - but his diving header, set up by Murphy, was capably turned round the post by City keeper David James.

And when the £2.5 midfielder chipped a 20-yard free kick into the penalty box, Fortune also had a chance to score, but when he slid in at far post he was unable to connect with the ball.

If Charlton could have netted either of those chances, the Addicks might have been able to claw themselves back into the match...

But Keegan's Blues were growing ever dangerous on the break and with 60 minutes played Charlton were again caught out.

Wright-Phillips' visionary pass for Anelka left stand-in skipper Fish stranded. It was a battle of speed between the French forward and the South African centre-back and there was only ever going to be one winner. Anelka coolly finished from 10 yards.

The Addicks boss reacted and rung the changes, making all his three substitutions at once.

Finnish international Jonatan Johansson made his first appearance of the season - playing up front with Jeffers, as Lisbie moved out wide where Radostin Kishishev had previously been.

The substitute began to cause problems for the City defence, immediately beating Joey Barton down the left wing to win a corner. But the visitors wasted the resultant flag kick as it sailed over a number of bobbing heads and out of play.

And Charlton's misery was compounded by a piece of sheer brilliance from the exciting Wright-Phillips.

His electric pace again spelt danger for the visitors, but Murphy chased back to tackle Fowler, who had collected the pass, and avert the danger - but it was only momentary relief.

The Addicks defenders lazily allowed City substitute Steve McManaman to take possession on the left; he squared the ball to Anelka who then cued up Wright-Phillips in turn ahead of a hesitant visiting defence.

From 25 yards out, and with both Young and Talal El Karkouri in front of him, he expertly curled the ball into the top right-hand corner.

It was a magical goal from the youngster and with only 12 minutes remaining, the Valley men were truly beaten and City were well on to their first victory of the campaign.

Johansson could have scored a consolation after breaking free from the Blues defence; he was one-on-one with keeper James, but the England number one eventually took control of the ball following a scrap of legs and arms on the ground.

There was even more bad news for the travelling supporters at the final whistle, when Fish had to be treated on the pitch before leaving the field.

After the humiliation of the 4-1 opening day defeat at Bolton Wanderers, the Addicks' first trip of 2004/05 to Manchester could not have gone much worse.

And Curbishley will know his side has some way to go if they are to reproduce last season's impressive away form.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Fish, Kishishev (Konchesky 65), Euell, Lisbie, Jeffers, Hreidarsson, Murphy, Rommedahl (Johansson 65), Fortune (El Karkouri 65).

Subs (not used): Andersen, Hughes.

Bookings: Murphy 58 (foul on Barton)

Manchester City: James, Thatcher, Distin, Reyna, Fowler, Mills, Dunne, Barton (McManaman 75), Sinclair (Macken 80), Wright-Phillips, Anelka.

Subs (not used): Waterreus, Jihai, Bosvelt.

Goals: Anelka 13, 60, Sinclair 35, Wright-Phillips 83 Ref: M Halsey Att: 43,593