Macauley Bonne’s first half goal proved decisive as Charlton returned to winning ways with victory over promotion rivals Leeds United.
The result lifts the Addicks into the play-offs and level on points with today’s opponents, although the visitors will be kicking themselves after failing to make the most of their dominance.
Lee Bowyer made two changes to the side which flopped 2-0 at Wigan last weekend.
READ MORE: Player ratings from Charlton 1 Leeds United 0
Summer signing Bonne was handed his first Championship start in place of the injured Tomer Hamed. Chris Solly came in for Deji Oshilaja, who was dropped to the bench.
Leeds almost made a dream start when Patrick Bamford played a low ball across the face of goal in the opening 20 seconds, only for Naby Sarr to scramble it behind with Jamie Shackleton poised to pounce.
Dillon Phillips was quickly called into action as the Addicks keeper pushed behind Ben White’s attempt from the resulting corner.
Picture: Kyle Andrews Photography
It took until the 20th minute for the next opportunity to arrive but Patrick Bamford headed tamely behind from close range.
Jonathan Leko made a crucial block on Ezgjan Alioski’s goal-bound low drive before Phillips produced an excellent stop moments later to keep out White’s header.
The Charlton stopper made a slightly more comfortable save from Mateusz Klich’s long range crack on 27 minutes.
It was all Leeds at this stage so it came as something of a surprise when the Addicks broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 32nd minute.
Bonne did well to win a corner off White and from Josh Cullen’s delivery Tom Lockyer’s effort was blocked, with Bonne applying a vital touch to fire over the line.
Picture: Kyle Andrews Photography
Helda Costa volleyed wildly over from inside the box four minutes before the break, although it was the hosts who somehow went in at the midway point with their noses in front.
Kiko Casilla had to get down low to gather Josh Cullen’s 25-yard free-kick, while Darren Pratley was perhaps fortunate to see his clearance from Stuart Dallas’ cross go behind.
Jack Harrison shot just over from the edge of the box, going much closer than Klich did five minutes later when he fired way off target after a free-kick was played into his path.
Bamford and Lockyer were both yellow carded after the Leeds striker went in late on Conor Gallagher and the Charlton defender reacted badly to the challenge on his team-mate by pushing the one-time Palace player.
Picture: Kyle Andrews Photography
Sarr cleared well from Klich’s stinging low shot, Solly did well to head behind a dangerous Klich cross and White flicked a header wide from Kalvin Phillips’ delivery as Leeds continued to press.
They really should have been back on terms five minutes from time, only for Eddie Nketiah to drag his close range volley inches wide of the far post.
Phillips made a simple save from Tyler Roberts in stoppage time and a much better one to somehow thwart Adam Forshaw.
That pretty much summed up a perfect defensive display from the Addicks who survived to seal three vital points and move back into the play-off zone.
Final score: Charlton - 1 Leeds United - 0
Charlton: Phillips, Solly, Sarr, Lockyer, Purrington, Pratley, Cullen, Williams (Aneke 55), Bonne (Field 82), Gallagher (Pearce 86), Leko. Subs not used: Amos, Oshilaja, Forster-Caskey, Oztumer. Att: 21,808
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