Guy Luzon rued a lack of concentration in the opening 20 minutes as his Charlton side were beaten 2-0 at league leaders Derby County this evening.

Jeff Hendrick had given the Rams a ninth minute lead, converting from close range after former Addick Darren Bent was afforded too much space down the left side of Charlton’s defence to square across the six-yard line for the midfielder to bundle home.

Just eight minutes later Jesse Lingard was played through in the box after Hendrick picked the ball up between Charlton’s midfield and back four, and the Manchester United loanee lifted his effort over Stephen Henderson to double the hosts’ lead.

Charlton managed to stifle Derby after that, but a Chris Solly shot and Johann Berg Gudmundsson crack at goal aside, didn’t really look like getting back into the game. 

Head coach Luzon felt Derby were worthy victors on the evening.

He admitted: “They totally deserved to win.

“They played better than us, they were the best team on the field.

“I think in this kind of game, at this level, you need to concentrate from the first minute until the end. 

“In the first half we had a lot of gaps between our lines and they used it well. 

“Derby played very well, but we let them play.

“We weren’t aggressive, we weren’t close when they were attacking us.

“They have the quality, and of course they will use it.”

The Israeli was buoyed by the second half recovery from his side, but felt that is was too little, too late from the Addicks. 

He explained: “In the second half we improved and were more compact, more organised. But it’s not enough.

“With this kind of team you need to concentrate from the first minute until the end.

“Forty five or 60 minutes of concentration is not enough, and you pay for it.

“You cannot wake up after 30 or 35 minutes because it’s too late. They punished us.”

A minor injury to Jordan Cousins meant the youngster was left out of the squad and replaced by Lawrie Willson in the centre of the midfield. 

The Charlton chief felt the academy graduate was a big miss for his side.

“What is important is that the players on the pitch try to do the maximum, but of course Jordan (Cousins) is one of our key players in the team.

“He felt a little bit in his muscles and needed a little bit of a rest, but he will be available until the end of the season.”

Wilson, who struggled to break up the impressive midfield play of the hosts and particularly Will Hughes in the centre of the park, was replaced by new signing Alou Diarra at half-time.

The Frenchman impressed and could take partial credit for the second half recovery from the visitors.

“Alou Diarra played well but all the other players are also helping the team to be organised so it looked better,” said Luzon. 

The lack of a goal to bring his side back into it was not for want of trying according to Luzon, but apart from a couple of half chances towards the end of the first period it never looked likely.

Luzon explained: “2-1 is a very important goal in football because it gives you a chance to come back.

“We did it three weeks ago. We gave everything.

“We missed two or three situations to score but as I said, we don’t feel too disappointed about the result because Derby deserved to win.”

The Addicks must look to recover on Saturday now as ex-Charlton manager Chris Powell brings his Huddersfield Town team to SE7.

Luzon said his side will give all they have in pursuit of victory in what he sees as a six-pointer.

“We need to focus about Huddersfield as it’s a very important game, another battle for six points,” he said.

“We will go with all our power.”

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