Charlton Ath. 3-0 Cardiff City

Cardiff City crashed to another defeat, this time at the hands of high-flying Charlton Athletic, but it could have been an altogether different story at The Valley.

Dave Jones made one change to his side, bringing in battling Scot Steve Thompson in place of Robbie Fowler, struggling to adapt and with a troublesome hip niggle.


Cardiff matched their more glamourous opponents and though the home side had a headed goal disallowed for a foul, City had their own chances. A well worked free kick saw Hasselbaink have a decent chance and Joe Ledley headed over.


Cardiff City then had a strong penalty shout turned down. Steve Thompson took the ball in the Charlton box, and touched around his man, a split second before being caught by the defender (Fortune). At the time, it looked a certain foul, Thommo was clearly incensed, and having seen the incident again - it's a definate penalty but the decision wasnt given and cost Cardiff.



As the seconds wound down until half time, Cardiff City lost the game. A free-kick took a lucky deflection and Sam Sodje gleefully poked home, then as Cardiff were left stunned, a long ball bounced kindly for Iwelumo to double the lead. It should have been 1-0 City, but we went into the dressing room two down.




There were good points, we applied some pressure second half. A Purse header was cleared off the line, Hasselbaink headed wide from a Ledley cross. Gavin Rae drove into the box, made space and a lunging defender luckily deflected over.


Luck was noit with us but in truth is was too easy for the Addicks to soak up the pressure. They looked professional, we looked down and ragged.


The closing minutes saw us concede a poor goal, but the game had already gone. Andy Reid swung a free kick in from the left, three Cardiff defenders jumped, all missed and Zheng Zhi looked as surprised as anyone to have won the header. 3-0 and three points for Charlton.



We were second best in many areas but the away support was phenomenal.The players look ragged and without ideas and we head into the International break languising perilously above the drop zone and scarcely looking like improving.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!