Charlton extended their unbeaten start to the season in the league to seven games, but dropped their first points of the season at The Valley. The game ended in a hard fought 1-1 draw.

Wolves were a strong, powerful outfit and the last action of the game saw young Joe Gomez literally put his body on the line to preserve a point for his team.

Chris Solly’s knee was not risked and Johann Gudmundsson was ruled out, but could be available for Rotherham at the weekend. Gomez and Lawrie Wilson came in and there was a place on the bench for Frederic Bulot.

The Addicks started brightly and Johnnie Jackson and George Tucudean had early chances.

Wolves responded with a flurry of corners but it was Charlton who took the lead with their first flag kick.

Jordan Cousins right-wing delivery was acrobatically volleyed into the net by Andre Bikey and the big defenders celebration was equally athletic.

The Addicks nearly doubled their advantage within a minute, but George Tucudean fired Igor Vetokele’s lay off narrowly wide.

After 34 minutes, Tal Ben Haim lost the ball on the touchline to James Henry, and it required a wonderful save from Stephen Henderson to tip the ball onto the inside of the post to preserve the hosts’ lead.

Jordan Cousins had a chance in the last minute of the half but his initial effort was blocked and his follow up flew narrowly wide.

Wolves dominated the opening exchanges of the second period and drew level after 65 minutes.

Henderson made a smart save from Bakary Sako but the visitors drew level from the resultant corner, Danny Batth heading home despite Henderson’s valiant attempt to stop the ball from crossing the line.

Chances came at both ends and ten minutes from the end, Cousins and Vetokele created an opening for Jackson that the skipper put his shot narrowly wide.

In added time, a terrific pass from
Jackson sent Vetokele clear but a heavy first touch allowed Carl Ikeme to foil the striker.

In the end, both sides were probably happy with the point.

Charlton: Henderson; Gomez, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Wilson (Bulot 74), Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Tucudean (Moussa 61), Vetokele.

Subs (not used): Pope, Fox, Morrison, Harriott, Church.

Goal: Bikey 26.

Booked: Tucudean 59 (foul).

Wolves: Ikeme; Doherty, Stearman, Batth, Golbourne; McDonald, Evans, Henry (Jacobs 87), Saville (Dicko 46); Sako, Clarke (Edwards 81).

Subs (not used): McCarey, Rowe, van La Parra, Ricketts.

Goal: Batth 65.

Referee: Pat Miller (Bedfordshire).

Attn: 15,973 (1644 Wolves).

Wolves have the meanest defence in the Championship, having only conceded two goals all season.

The Midlanders are not particularly prolific at the other end and have only scored six times in the league so far. On Saturday, they fought out a 0-0 draw at Blackpool.

Kenny Jackett will be pleased with how his team have adjusted to life back in the Championship and the game could well be a tight affair.

The Addicks will have one or two injury concerns following Saturday’s game against Watford, with Johann Gudmundsson being the biggest doubt.

If the Icelandic international is ruled out, Lawrie Wilson is likely to deputise. Bob Peeters will have to decide whether Chris Solly’s knee can withstand another game so soon after Saturday.

On the plus side, Frederic Bulot should be available and may be on the bench.

Charlton could field this team:

Henderson; Gomez, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Wilson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Tucudean, Vetokele.

Subs: Pope, Fox, Morrison, Moussa, Harriott, Bulot, Church.

The referee will be Pat Miller from Bedfordshire.

Peeters’ team are full of confidence at the moment and will be looking to extend their winning run at The Valley.

Bob Peeters was able to field an unchanged team again, though Johann Gudmundsson’s participation lasted less than half-an-hour.

The match was played by two good passing teams but Watford were to be in almost total control after the break.

The decisive goal came after just three minutes. Jordan Cousins played Igor Vetokele in from the left and the Angolan striker took the ball past Heurelho Gomes, only for the keeper to pull him down.

With Vetokele moving away from goal, and covering defenders on the line, Gomes escaped with a yellow card.

Yoni Buyens stepped up to send Gomes the wrong way and notch his third goal from the spot this season.

The Addicks successfully stifled the supply line to Troy Deeney for most of the afternoon but the Hornets skipper did get clear just before the half-hour mark, and with only Henderson to beat, he appeared to be brought down by a challenge from behind by Tal Ben Haim. Fortunately for Charlton, referee, Andrew Madley, waved play on.

It was all Watford after the break and the visitors forced Stephen Henderson into some good saves.

The Hornets did get the ball in the net after 76 minutes when Deeney steered in a rebound from the post, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Peeters’ team defended stoically and were close to creating further scoring opportunities of their own.

The win elevates the Addicks to fifth in the table.

Charlton: Henderson; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Gudmundsson (Wilson 28), Buyens, Jackson (Harriott 77),Cousins; Tucudean (Moussa 55), Vetokele.

Subs (not used): Pope, Gomez, Morrison, Church.

Goal; Buyens 3 (pen).

Booked: Gudmundsson 24 (foul), Wiggins 48 (foul), Cousins 61 (dissent), Buyens 70 (foul).

Watford: Gomes; Hoban (Paredes 46), Angella, Ekstrand; Anya, Abdi, Tozser, Pudil, McGugan (Ighalo 77); Vydra (Dyer 62), Deeney.

Subs (not used): Bond, Cathcart, Fabbrini, Doyley.

Booked: Gomes 2 (foul), Abdi 41 (foul), Holban 43 (foul), Ekstrand 45 (foul).

Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire).

Attn: 17,628 (3,199 Watford).