Charlton 2 (Morrison 27, Kermorgant 59) Leicester City 1 (Drinkwater 62).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
You can forgive Leicester City for being sick of the sight of Charlton right now. And if they never see their former employee Yann Kermorgant again, it’ll probably be a day too soon. So cut them some slack.
A pair of 2-1 losses to the Addicks last season effectively cost City an automatic promotion place and sentenced them to the misery of play-off defeat. Kermorgant scored in both games, as cast-off strikers often do when nursing a simmering sense of injustice; the contentious circumstances surrounding the burly Frenchman’s departure from the King Power Stadium have, of course, been exhaustively discussed so let’s not re-hash them here.
Established as 5-4 favourites at The Valley on Saturday, the unbeaten Foxes were entitled to feel confident of turning the tables on their struggling hosts. A third away win of the fledgling season looked likely to settle an irritating old score.
Having found a little form of their own, despite the midweek defeat at Huddersfield, the Addicks had other ideas. Newly secure in their 3-5-2 makeover, they swarmed all over the visitors on their way to completing a hat-trick of odds-busting victories over them. They won 2-1 yet again with Kermorgant, twirling an enormous villain’s moustache, inevitably scoring what amounted to the winner in a pulsating entertainment.
A subtle re-jigging of the side which performed so well in Yorkshire meant recalls for left wingback Rhoys Wiggins and striker Simon Church, with Dorian Dervite, as expected, replacing Richard Wood as part of a solid-looking centre back trio. The absence of Chris Solly, meanwhile, gave the believers in pre-deadline day conspiracy plenty to chew on. But not in this report.
Although Charlton’s determined start offered evidence that they’re improving, it was City’s unruly behaviour that was to prove their eventual undoing. Matty James’ needless 12th minute booking for tripping dynamic Bradley Pritchard was to have significant repercussions later on but it was their obsessive targetting of Kermorgant that not only distracted them but began their downfall.
A malevolent foul by Ignasi Miquel on the ex- Fox conceded a free kick, which Johnnie Jackson curled in from the right and Kaspar Schmeichel pawed nervously away for a left wing corner. Back to form Dale Stephens’ inswinger was pounced on by Michael Morrison and the big defender’s emphatic header finished the job.
Simon Church should have doubled the advantage but spooned Jackson’s corner haplessly over the bar from close range. With Liam Moore’s long throws their only offensive weapon, these Foxes were proving easy prey so far; A bit ominous at the time really.
Further lawbreaking after the interval – in fairness, Charlton weren’t always scrupulous themselves- continued the unravelling process. In vain pursuit of Kermorgant, Danny Drinkwater’s cynical trip from behind gave his victim the chance to curl a devastating free kick, which Schmeichel saved superbly at his right post.
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In no mood for reform, City’s ill-discipline boiled over shortly before the hour. Following up alertly as Ben Hamer left his line to brilliantly block David Nugent, James’ effort to reach the rebound ran into steely defensive resistance. Convinced he’d been impeded -and maybe he was- the energetic midfielder carried his passionate protests too far and was handed a second yellow card by Darren Deadman. Be fair, we can’t have foxes going around saucing humans, especially referees. Next thing you know, it’s back to 1984 and you’ve got pigs taking over again.
City were instantly punished for their indiscretions by a second goal. Jackson’s deadly corner was met by Kermorgant’s prodigious leap and unstoppable header at the far post. At which decisive point, the Addicks predictably faltered and allowed their victims back into it.
A lightning break and cross on the left by Jamie Vardy was scuffed awkwardly away by an off-balance Dervite but efficiently drilled into the roof of the net by Drinkwater. These ten men had no intention of going quietly.
Unruffled by the setback, Kermorgant continued to be unplayable. His tailored knockdown of Lawrie Wilson’s accurate cross was uncharacteristically shovelled over the bar by Jackson, then a ferocious header, from another of Wilson’s excellent crosses, produced a miraculous save from Schmeichel, with Church bundling the rebound against the woodwork. With Charlton anxious to cross their eyes and make the teas after an important victory, impressive young substitute Jordan Cousins should have eased the mild pressure but finished a clever run on to Pritchard’s incisive pass by shooting against the advancing Schmeichel.
But no matter. Even six added minutes were a doddle. With an old head planted on young shoulders, strapping Joe Pigott spent most of them messing around near the left corner flag in a mini-match of his own. It’s hard to think of a time when Charlton have been more relaxed during the last knockings of a game. Well, maybe not relaxed. No, definitely not relaxed. Can’t think what made me say that!
Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Cort, Dervite, Wiggins, Stephens (Cousins 75), Jackson (Gower 75), Pritchard, Church (Pigott 90), Kermorgant. Not used: Pope, Evina, Sordell, Harriott.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Kockaert 56), Morgan, Miquel, Sclupp (Dyer 72), Moore, Drinkwater, King, James, Nugent, Vardy (Wood 67). Not used: Whitbread, Danns, Bakayogo, Logan.
Referee: Darren Deadman. Att: 15,542.