Sheffield United fell to a frustrating 2-1 loss away at Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon in the EFL Championship.
The Addicks took the lead through Millenic Alli when he caught Michael Cooper off guard at his near post from a crossing angle. The Blades soon equalised when Jordan Ayew smartly lofted a header over the keeper. But the home side would continue their good form against United as Matt Godden improvised at the near post to steer the ball into the bottom corner with just a few minutes to spare.
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Lineups
Charlton: Mannion, Coventry, Campbell (Skipp 87), Koumetio, Bell, Alli, McNamara, Kelman (Godden 75), Rankin-Costello (Carey 64), Mwamba (Knibbs 64), Bindon.
Unused: Okonkwo, Edwards, Mesik, Nkeng, Herbert.
Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, Choudhury (Seriki 45, McGuinness 51), Ayew (Cannon 71), Donovan, Burrows, Kitching, Chong, Brereton Diaz (Campbell 87), Phillips (Arblaster 87), Peck.
Unused: Davies, McCallum, Baptiste, Riedewald.
First Half
Charlton started on the front foot, looking to put the visitors under pressure from the opening whistle. Their attacking approach paid dividends in the 12th minute when Alli found himself with room to shoot on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder took full advantage, sending a low effort towards the near post which Michael Cooper was unable to keep out.
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The hosts continued to look dangerous and almost doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Tyreece Campbell delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Mwamba was unable to get the necessary contact from close range as the opportunity went begging.
Sheffield United gradually grew into the contest and drew level with 25 minutes on the clock. Romelle Donovan was brought down by Alli, allowing the visitors to put a dangerous free-kick into the Charlton penalty area. Kalvin Phillips’ delivery caused problems for goalkeeper Mannion, who could only push the ball back into a dangerous area. Ayew reacted quickest, rising to head into the unguarded net and restore parity.
The Blades looked to build on their equaliser and came close to taking the lead moments later. Mannion struggled to deal with another Phillips delivery from a corner, but managed to recover in time to collect a header from Kitching before it could cross the line.
The closing stages of the first half became increasingly heated, with several players finding themselves in referee Corlett’s notebook. McNamara was booked for a late challenge on Donovan, before Choudhury received a yellow card for bringing down Campbell. Bindon and Mwamba also picked up cautions following mistimed challenges on Brereton Diaz and Kitching.
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Second Half
Chris Wilder made a change at the interval, introducing Seriki in place of Choudhury. However, the defender’s afternoon was brought to an abrupt end just two minutes into the second half. Following a physical contest with Campbell, Seriki went down in considerable discomfort and required treatment before being stretchered off. McGuinness was brought on to replace him.
Charlton continued to compete aggressively and Rankin-Costello became their next booking after catching Chong with a reckless challenge.
Alli remained one of the home side’s biggest attacking threats and came close to restoring their advantage in the 65th minute. The goalscorer created space outside the box before attempting another effort from distance, but Cooper comfortably dealt with a strike that lacked sufficient power.
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United responded four minutes later with an opportunity of their own. Ayew delivered into the area and Burrows attempted to meet the cross on the volley, but Mannion was well positioned to gather the effort without too much difficulty.
With the game approaching its final stages, Charlton introduced Matty Godden for Kelman in the 75th minute as they searched for a decisive goal.
The substitution proved inspired. Just four minutes after coming onto the pitch, Godden found the net to put the Addicks back in front. Alli was once again at the heart of the action, driving towards the Sheffield United defence before lifting an inviting ball into the penalty area. Godden had found the perfect position and made no mistake, guiding his first-time finish beyond Cooper to send The Valley into celebration.
There was still time for United to snatch a point, and they came agonisingly close in the dying moments. Peck found an opportunity to get a low effort away towards the near post, but Mannion produced an excellent reaction save to preserve Charlton’s advantage.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
