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Charlton 1 Sheffield United 0: Match Report
PIC : MARTYN HARRISON
DANNY Wilson, the Sheffield United manager, had insisted the outcome of this game would not decide the destination of the title.
But a narrow win for Charlton Athletic, once again sealed by a Johnnie Jackson set-piece, swung the battle for League One supremacy decisively in the Londoners’ favour following a controversial contest which saw both sides finish the afternoon with only 10 players on the pitch.
Wilson’s demeanour during a fiery post-match inquest betrayed his bitter disappointment at the result, with referee Darren Deadman a particular source of frustration.
Branding substitute James Beattie’s dismissal as “pathetic”, Wilson claimed that Charlton’s Yann Kermorgant should have seen red for his part in the melee sparked by teammate Darel Russell’s late sending-off.
With Deadman also provoking angry scenes on the United bench by disallowing what appeared to be a legitimate equaliser from Lee Williamson just before the interval, Wilson could barely conceal his rage after the final whistle.
Wilson conceded Beattie had been guilty of a misguided attempt to protect Matthew Lowton after the United full-back was confronted by Kermorgant.
“The instigator got away,” he said. “If one goes, then the other goes.”
Chris Powell, the Charlton manager, interpreted events differently, joking: “My chairman is a lawyer and he tells me strangulation is a criminal offence.
“Darel shouldn’t have gone because he got the ball but in the current climate things like that happen.”
Michael Doyle, the United captain, said. “To be honest, I didn’t really see what happed with James, It was a two-footed challenge (from Russell) and my response was to try and get him off the pitch as quickly as possible.
“Then, a lot of their boys came flying in and there was all sorts of pushing and shoving.”
Doyle, however, maintained there could be no dispute about the fact Williamson’s effort should have stood.
Wilson labelled Deadman’s decision to disallow the ‘goal’ as “embarrassing” and Doyle, his fellow midfielder, said: “We couldn’t understand why it wasn’t given. That was something we’d been working on all week - getting the ball in close to the keeper - and without being disrespectful to their lad you could see he struggled with it all afternoon.”
Wilson, whose side slip to third in the table and now trail leaders Charlton by seven points, had justifiable cause for complaint about the performance of the officials.
In a tussle dominated by defences, it was inevitable that profligacy would carry a heavy price.
Jackson, seven days after scoring in similar fashion at Sheffield Wednesday, converted the one chance which came his way.
Ched Evans and Richard Cresswell, who otherwise struggled to escape the shackles of Charlton’s rearguard, did not, with the latter punching the air in anger after blazing over the crossbar following another mistake by the nervous Hamer.
“I felt we were the ones really trying to win the game out there,” Doyle continued. “That’s not being disrespectful to Charlton because they were very organised, got men behind the ball, were hard to break down and the finish for the free-kick was excellent.”
Despite seeing Kevin McDonald - later caught by Russell as the two contested possession in midfield - clip a first time effort high and wide moments after the action got under way, United had to wait until after the break before establishing control.
Jackson made no mistake from 25 yards after Neill Collins was adjudged to have impeded Danny Hollands following a throw-in which, according to Wilson, should have “gone the other way”.
Hamer palmed a similar attempt from Williamson around the post as United summoned a response before his blushes were spared by Deadman’s dubious call .
Two shots from Danny Green threatened to swing the contest back in Charlton’s favour but parity should have been restored when Hamer fumbled another Quinn set-piece and Williamson’s deflected cross fell kindly for Cresswell.
Lowton also went close during the closing stages.
“That was a tough game,” Powell, refusing to concede Charlton now appear odds on for promotion, said. “United are probably the best team we’ve seen here at The Valley all season.
“They’re a good side with a good manager.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 20 comments to this article
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(0v0)
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 09:56 PMLoco the only statistic that counts is 3 points and top of league
Loco
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 09:38 PMBobble, I'd agree Charlton were chasing shadows at times in the second half however we still managed two shots on target to your no shots on target. United’s passing and movement were good, I’ve no problem in admitting that. The end result however was one shot on target in ninety minutes of football, not enough to expect anything from a game in my opinion and certainly not enough to claim to be the better team. Everyone seems to blame the ref for the “goal” that never was because there was no contact on our goal keeper but, the ref never blew for a foul on him, the foul was on Matt Taylor. All you guys seem to do is echo your respective managers and to be honest they are pretty cute at pointing the finger outside of their own teams. Charlton are in a dry spell at the moment we are not playing well at all, which means we do the ugly things to win but we are not a dirt team by any stretch.
silverblade
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 08:38 PMHas anyone else seen united's web page headline, "get blades player for £17.99...is this the start off the fire sale...:-).
Mancblade
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 02:18 PMWhat a refreshing change to have Blades, Owls and even Chalton fans having an honest debate. Long may it continue
Bobble
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:45 PMI would like to say though that even though we lost the game, the passing football played was second to none with Charlton chasing shadows for long periods. This is in no way a swipe at any other team but I am so pleased at how we are knocking the ball about and at least trying to entertain. All the time we were kicking it up in the air (with a deal of success) the Blades fans were saying how we should be playing football and so we should now take our hats off to DW for getting them playing good football even though you don't always get your rewards.
Bobble
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:29 PMLoco let's indeed look at the stats...... possession 52% to 48 in our favour.......corners 8 to 3 again in our favour........total attempts at goal 9 to 7 yet again in our favour. This means if you lot had scored every time you made an attempt at goal you could only have scored seven times whereas we could possibly have scored nine times. Take the timewasting friendly homer of a referee into account and yes, I think we can count ourselves a little unlucky to lose. Of course the only stat that ultimately matters is the result and over the season Sheffield clubs have taken just one point from a possible twelve but to claim that on Saturday we deserved nothing is laughable. I can't comment on the game at Hillsborough the week before as I didn't see it obviously but I bet Chris Powell is pleased about one thing........you don't have to play the Blades every week.
(0v0)
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:00 PMThere were some bad referring decisions at our game. The free kick was world class. On a different day a different ref would have booked more Charlton players or sent 1 or 2 off. The time wasting was disgraceful. But trying to get our players sent off is just wrong. The ref gave us nothing. I am a Wednesday fan even I thought the blades goal should not have been disallowed. If Charlton fans had decsions go against them. They would be moaning too. But the league does not lie and Charlton are the best team in the league. Good luck for the rest of the season
silverblade
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:38 PMCharlton fan then hey, but Charlton & Hudder's have certainly got the rub of the green and fortune at the momment, good luck to you but will it hold out, these things tend to even themselves out over the season....still a long way to go we shall see....
Loco
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:30 PMHow any team can claim they were unlucky after having one shot on target all game is beyond my ken. United dominated possession in the second period but did nothing to suggest they were capable of scoring a goal and goals do decide football matches after all. After playing both Sheffield teams I can honestly say, I've never heard such winging and whining from managers. Megson and Wilson sound like some sad politicians who just lost their seats.
silverblade
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:15 PMIs that the real ovo, can't believe it, a sensible well put comment for a change well done...
roy 50
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:06 PMMust admit I feared for United as soon as I saw Deadman was the ref. He is one of the worst refs in this league and thats saying something. Only seen Charlton on tv and they know how to play the system, fall over everytime a player comes near you, and waste as much time as possible.
roy 50
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:01 PMMuswt admit
Bobble
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:25 AMThey are never do!!!! What kind of English is that? Sorry.
Dingle Dickie
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:24 AMBit unlucky, as we were obviously the best side (as we were at The Lane against them), but Charlton know how to win these games, so hats off to them. At the game, nobody really knew why anyone was sent off, and having watched it back on BBCi, still not sure anyone should have gone. As for the disallowed goal, well couldn't see any problem at the match, and can't see any problem on the replay either. And Ched should have buried his chance in the 2nd half. Still, you win some, you lose some. No doubt we have a bit of luck now and again. The result just about nails it on for Charlton, so it looks as though it's between us and Hudders for 2nd spot.............
Bobble
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:24 AMThe referees do have a lot to answer but they are never do. Part of the job should be giving their reasons for their decisions or lack of them. If occasionally that reason is "I simply didn't see it" then fair enough but there are four of them out there and for all four of them to miss the big decisions is a sign that they are not up to the job. In many cases the referee gives a decision based on what he has seen and should offer an explanation. The only people who missed the incident at Hudersfield were the officials. Where were they looking???
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