Charlton Athletic

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A reward for promotion? A bye to the third round of the FA Cup. And the prize? A showcase clash with trophy-laden Chelsea under The Valley lights.

For Charlton fans, it was the kind of glamorous tie that reminds you why the cup still matters.

Yet as the fog rolled in to SE7 on a bitterly cold January night, you had to wonder, has the occasion come at a cost?

The concern was not so much the 5–1 defeat by the Club World Cup Champions, but the sight of Amari'i Bell grimacing again with that recurring hamstring issue. Tyreece Campbell joined the injury list too.

Boss Nathan Jones would never have risked Bell in a routine third round tie against Port Vale but this was too big a night to pass up.

The build-up had been special. Chelsea arrived with a new head coach in Liam Rosenior and The Valley buzzed with an expectant crowd of 26,475 with the pyrotechnics dancing before kick-off.

Going into first-half added time, we were holding our own before Jorrel Hato struck.

After the restart, we attacked the Covered End with gusto but criminally we conceded from a simply worked set piece to go two down from a header by Tosin Adarabioyo, who scored on his last visit to The Valley for Blackburn Rovers in February 2020.

When Miles Leaburn pulled one back, the Charlton fans were in raptures.

It was crucial to consolidate and quell any Chelsea counter-offensive but our defenders did not follow instructions that were delivered circa 30 times in training from Jones, and The Blues all but killed our hopes with a two-goal margin restored.

Chelsea's world-class quality took full advantage.

Once the shackles came off, it became showtime for the visitors, who added two late goals to give the scoreline an unnecessarily cruel edge.

Leaburn's goal, though, should do him the world of good and is reward for his recent performances as well as a confidence booster against elite opposition.

Among the positives, Will Mannion impressed between the posts, perhaps staking a real claim over Thomas Kaminski.

In truth, the focus must now shift to upcoming home matches against Sheffield United and Derby County.

The FA Cup was a spectacle, no question. But Bell's injury could cast a long shadow over the more important fight ahead - staying clear of that relegation dotted line.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

It doesn't feel as if Liam Rosenior's appointment has been particularly welcomed by some Chelsea fans.

This is his first game in charge and he could really do with making a fast start to help win some of the doubters over.

There are tougher tests to come - like Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final next week - but I think he will get the result he wants here.

There will be a packed house at The Valley, with Charlton's biggest crowd for an FA Cup tie in 50 years, but the Addicks are not in great form and Chelsea's quality should see them through.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

With Patrick Bamford set to extend his loan stay at Sheffield United, Ipswich are set to turn their attentions to Birmingham and Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes, 30, who has also attracted the interest of Charlton. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

After listening to Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael following their loss to Wrexham I sensed this trip to Ewood Park was there for the taking.

Their squad was stretched, confidence low, and the home crowd restless. A perfect opportunity, and yet we let it slip.

I would have accepted a draw before kick off but surrendering a two-goal cushion still stings, especially after the promising result against league leaders Coventry City just three days earlier. This felt like a gift carelessly returned.

On a bleak January Sunday, credit to the 538 Charlton supporters who made the long journey north.

It is no small effort to spend a cold afternoon in a draughty away end before the first Monday back at work. Sadly, the players could not match that same commitment when it mattered most.

Tyreece Campbell was brushed off the ball far too easily in the build up to their first goal. We had numbers back but let Moussa Baradji nod in, and in the 77th minute, more naivety led to the equaliser.

So much for defensive discipline, something Nathan Jones insists is fundamental when key personnel are available.

That is what frustrates most; flashes of quality undone by poor concentration.

Our opener was beautifully worked, and while the penalty decision that doubled the lead was soft, we should never have invited pressure so quickly after.

Now comes a crucial spell. The Chelsea FA Cup tie offers respite, but the focus must shift to back-to-back home games against a revived Sheffield United and a dangerous Derby County side.

Four points from the two, as we managed earlier this season, would steady the ship.

Then, of course, there is the small matter of Millwall.

For now, Jones will welcome a brief break from league action and the chance, perhaps, to bring in fresh faces before Chris Wilder's men visit The Valley.

It is a big month ahead, and Charlton cannot afford many more self-inflicted setbacks.

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers:

"Yeah, really [frustrated]. It wasn't a good game in terms of no team really had any control. But after taking a 2-0 lead we expect to win that game.

"The goal just before half-time probably lifted them and [it was] poor from us. [They] turn the ball over, [we] allow them to get to the byeline, clip the ball in. We don't pick it up – there's only one [Blackburn player] in the box – we have three and he gets a free header and scores. That's frustrating.

"Second goal, that one's really frustrating. We lose Miles [Leaburn], Miles has to come off. We can't make a sub, so we're down to 10 men. We have the ball in the corner, we clip it into the goalkeeper's hands. They go up the other end and score from a cutback.

"And this stuff that we normally defend really well, this is stuff we work on.

"In the end it's like a basketball game, and you're probably happy with a point at the end."

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

It felt like the morning of a dentist's appointment – that uneasy anticipation before facing pain – as league leaders Coventry City rolled into The Valley.

And when the Sky Blues struck early, it was indeed like that first sharp injection.

But once the sting passed, Charlton went about their business with courage, organisation, and a performance that reminded everyone they belong at this level.

Frank Lampard's side came with swagger, yet they left knowing they'd been in a proper Championship battle.

Charlton, so often fragile after setbacks, showed real character.

Just days after the last-gasp defeat at Portsmouth, and facing a Coventry team with 54 goals already this season, the Addicks could easily have folded. Instead, they fought back.

Joe Rankin‑Costello, only recently brought into the side, continued his impressive run with the crucial equaliser – following up after Charlie Kelman's bursting run had forced a save from Carl Rushworth.

Image source, Shutterstock

Both goalkeepers played starring roles. Thomas Kaminski kept Charlton in it with key stops while, at the other end, Rushworth showed why he is destined to play in the Premier League.

The Addicks' defensive trio of Reece Burke, Lloyd Jones and Amari'i Bell gives the side solidity and a more balanced, confident look.

This was a draw that felt like progress. One more point towards that magic 50 mark, and another small climb up the table – now on 28. The gap to the drop zone may have narrowed slightly, but belief has grown stronger.

Rankin‑Costello's emergence could be the tonic to cure the post‑Christmas hangover that followed those defeats by Norwich City and Portsmouth.

He now returns to face boyhood club Blackburn Rovers, hopeful of another statement performance against opponents still smarting from a home loss to Wrexham.

Nathan Jones and his players deserve real credit.

They didn't panic after the early setback, they matched the league's best side stride for stride, and by full‑time, Coventry knew they'd been in a game.

A point gained, confidence restored – and an inspiring start to 2026.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones says he is "proud" of his players for the character they showed to come from a goal behind to draw 1-1 with Coventry on New Year's Day.

He told BBC Radio London: "It was an excellent football game with both sides going right at the game to try and win it.

"To concede after two minutes and to put in the performance showed we have bags and bags of character.

"After the goal in the first half I thought we were brilliant. I thought we tested them, we were athletic. Second half they had one or two chances but we had so many situations. That was a top level Championship game.

"The level of performance we put in… I'm proud. We have gone from a really tough time with injuries but when we have got our best players available that is the level of performance we can put in.

"I thought we were outstanding first half but people have told me we were better second half so I will have to watch it back."

On whether Charlton should have had a penalty for handball when Coventry defender Joel Latibeaudiere blocked a shot from Charlie Kelman:

"His hand is down by his side but it hits his hand and stops it from going in the bottom corner. I don't know.

"I don't know the rules any more, I've got to be honest. When we have feedback there is always a way around everything."

Image source, Opta

Relegation-battling Charlton Athletic welcome Championship leaders Coventry City for a vital clash at both ends of the table on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Addicks suffered an agonising late defeat at Portsmouth last time out for their seventh loss in nine games (W1 D1) to leave them just five points clear of the drop zone.

The Sky Blues are eight points clear of Middlesbrough in second and 10 ahead of Ipswich in third, who subjected them to their first league home defeat of the season on Monday night.

But Frank Lampard's side will be keen to get back on track after just two wins from their past six games (D2 L2) - both of which were by a 1-0 scoreline at the CBS Arena, having failed to win any of their previous three away matches (D2 L1).

• Charlton Athletic have won only two of their past 11 home league games against Coventry City (D6 L3), last hosting the Sky Blues in October 2018 in League One and losing 2-1.

• Coventry City have won each of their past three league meetings with Charlton Athletic, already their longest ever winning streak against the Addicks in the EFL.

• Charlton have lost five of their previous six home league games played on New Year's Day (W1), with the exception coming when beating Walsall 2-1 in League One in 2019.

• Coventry are unbeaten in their first game of the calendar year in each of the past 12 years (W9 D3), with only Manchester City (W13) on a longer such run in England's top four tiers.

• Coventry have won five of their past six away league matches in London (D1), winning both under Frank Lampard (1-0 and 4-0, both against Millwall in 2024-25 and 2025-26).

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

Charlton's trip to Fratton Park brought more frustration than optimism, as two struggling sides served up a reminder of how unforgiving life can be near the foot of the Championship.

Portsmouth may have been poor, but Charlton's failure to take their chances and a lapse in concentration at the end saw them leave empty-handed.

Conor Shaughnessy's opener on his return from injury came just when Charlton looked to be gaining control. Brought on to help contain Miles Leaburn - a key figure in Charlton's direct approach - the defender instead punished the visitors from a set piece.

When Charlton eventually levelled, it felt no more than they deserved, yet switching off in the final seconds proved costly. For a side battling for survival, to concede in that manner was unforgivable.

After the morale-boosting win over Oxford United, this festive double-header at Norwich and Portsmouth had offered a chance to edge away from danger. Instead, it reinforced how fragile Charlton's progress remains.

The defensive pairing of Reece Burke and Amari'i Bell provides some encouragement, while Joe Rankin-Costello showed he can be trusted.

But for all the endeavour, goals remain the glaring issue - only Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday have scored fewer this season.

Nathan Jones is beginning to split supporters, yet it's worth remembering how far he has taken this club.

Promotion, a top-five spell and a Championship campaign being fought with limited resources underline his capacity to extract results against the odds. Injuries have taken their toll, but stability might still be Charlton's best route to safety.

The Addicks are halfway through the season with a tally that keeps them in the fight.

January will be crucial. Fresh quality is essential if that 50-point target and the safety of 21st place are to be achieved.

Because if this late heartbreak becomes a recurring theme, Charlton's return to League One could soon feel painfully inevitable.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Where do you even start after that pitiful Boxing Day performance at Carrow Road?

"'Tis the season to be jolly," so let's find the positives from that 1-0 defeat to Norwich before the frustration takes over.

Thomas Kaminski, our goalkeeper, could justifiably come away from the game with some credit.

And 19-year-old debutant Keenan Gough should be quietly proud of his full Championship debut — a fine personal achievement for him and his family.

Now for the reality check, and it's one most Charlton fans will share after witnessing such a flat, lifeless display.

We knew it would be tough. Norwich are on the rise again under Philippe Clement, starting to look like the solid Championship side they're supposed to be.

However, even allowing for that, Charlton should have shown far more resistance.

Nathan Jones' absence from the dugout may have played a part — serving his suspension in the stands — yet the drop in energy and concentration was inexcusable.

Our travelling fans, who gave up part of their Christmas to make the deceptively long trip from London, deserved so much better.

There was no attacking threat, no tempo, no spark.

Set pieces, once a potential weapon, were wasted by loan signing James Bree, whose form has dipped alarmingly.

That Oxford win now feels a long time ago and the pressure only builds ahead of tonight's trip to Portsmouth — another side in-and-around us in the table.

The clouds of concern are thickening over this part of south-east London.

The talk of "being the best version of ourselves" is wearing thin. If that's truly the standard, then Charlton need to find that version of themselves again — quickly and repeatedly — just to stay in the Championship.

Norwich was a poor gift. Portsmouth tonight has to be the redemption.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic assistant manager Curtis Fleming says his side were 'disappointing' in their 1-0 loss at Norwich City.

The Addicks did not create any clearcut chances at Carrow Road as they lost for the seventh time in nine matches.

With boss Nathan Jones serving a touchline ban it was his assistant Fleming who was left to give his assessment on the game:

"I thought it was disappointing. We always talk about being the best version of ourselves. I didn't think we were at them today," he told BBC Radio London.

"I thought it was a real opportunity to go and get a result away from home, coming off a good result at home, and I don't think we were anywhere near where we could have been or should have been today.

"It's not a disappointing result, it's a disappointing performance, and for us to be competitive in this league we have to be the best version of ourselves every Saturday for 90 minutes."