Ten-man Charlton Athletic were unable to hold on against south London rivals Millwall despite an encouraging display from Nathan Jones' side.
Though the Addicks came close to overcoming a near thirty-year winless drought against the Lions, this performance will encourage the hosts in what will inevitably be a tricky Championship campaign.
The Lions came into this game having won their first two Championship away games of the campaign and would be determined to maintain their 12-match unbeaten streak at The Valley.
However, the hosts showed all the desire and energy to emerge as victors. Nathan Jones’ side was instilled with a strong mentality and intent to press Millwall. After all, it was Charlton’s biggest fixture yet since their return to the second tier.
Perhaps the visitors felt they could establish and settle themselves into the game as the experienced Championship side, but the eleven Addicks players never let that happen. From the off, Charlton were aggressive in duels, presenting opportunities to threaten the Millwall goal.
Momentum was the key to the team controlling this derby. Despite a sparsity of chances in the first 20 minutes, the pressure was building on the visitors, who were constantly making unforced errors, gifting the ball in central areas to Charlton.
The momentum continued to build throughout the half, and that told the story of a successful game plan for the Addicks boss. The corner following a Rob Apter attempt that deflected onto the crossbar, midfielder Sonny Carey dispatched a half volley from the edge of the box, marking a deserved lead for Charlton.
More than anything, that goal was a symbol of the hosts’ hard work and intensity in the first half. Millwall were suffocated at times, and the physical front two that Alex Neil’s side had were completely isolated and dominated by Charlton’s defence.
The spirit of a good performance is normally learnt in the second half; Millwall would inevitably show more attacking desire than their weak first-half performance suggested, and Jones’ side needed to show capabilities to hold onto a slim lead.
The attacking display was matched with an equally impressive defensive performance following the interval. Charlton continued to attack in the second half, instead countering Millwall attacks. Lloyd Jones and Amari’i Bell continued to marshal the physical presence of Josh Coburn up top.
The Addicks had particular joy on the wings in this game, with Rob Apter and Tyreece Campbell causing a lot of problems for Millwall. Both are flagrant, agile and direct wingers, and caused multiple problems in both halves for Neil’s side.
Those two wingers elevated the crowd off their feet in lulls during the game, and although wasteful at points, it was much-needed enthusiasm, particularly during difficult moments.
That task became even more difficult when Kayne Ramsay received a second yellow with just over 15 minutes remaining, reducing Charlton to a statistical disadvantage in a game they had largely controlled.
Despite preventing multiple chances from the visitors, they could no longer prevent the visitors with Rees-Bangura Williams equalising seven minutes from the final whistle.
Although desperation crept in as the final whistle neared, it was a performance of spirit for Nathan Jones' side, one that will encourage after a mixed bag of results for Charlton to begin the season.
His side showed tenacity and bravery against an established Championship side and were unlucky not to take three points based on the performance. Perhaps it is easier to view this fixture as cursed rather than to play down the performance of his team.
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