Charlton had problems before the game had even started. Dillon Phillips was injured during the warm-up and had to be replaced on the bench by 17-year-old Dimi Mitov. 

The game turned out to be the Addicks’ poorest performance of the season, though their spirit and perseverance could not be faulted.

After another difficult start, Nick Pope went on to have a fine game, making three top drawer saves to keep his team in the match.

Nahki Wells took advantage when Pope ventured outside his area after just three minutes and slotted the ball home. Referee, Tim Robinson, ruled the effort out for a foul on Pope, a decision that seemed harsh.

A poor back pass left Pope stranded after 16 minutes but Tal Ben Haim managed to clear the ball off the line.

After 21 minutes, Igor Vetokele was ruled offside when he converted a pass from George Tucudean. Vetokele was put through by Johnnie Jackson twelve minutes later, rounded Alex Smithies but his effort was blocked.

Pope had to make a couple of good stops before Huddersfield were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time. Vetokele burst through but was pulled back by Murray Wallace, who was shown the red card.

The dismissal seemed to galvanise the Terriers who went ahead four minutes after the restart. Sean Scannell somehow managed to wriggle away from Jordan Cousins. The winger’s cross was a gift for Wells who converted from close range.

Pope was called into action again as the hosts made light of their numerical disadvantage, and they looked to have had a good penalty shout turned down when James Vaughan was bundled over in the area.

But Charlton staged another of their strong finishes. Huddersfield had a narrow escape when Smithies made a save from a corner and Moussa’s follow up was headed off the line, with the keeper beaten.

Andre Bikey was sent forward as the clock ticked down and the big defender headed a Jackson pass on, three minutes into stoppage time. Vetokele was on hand to apply the finishing touch.

The goal came so late, that it felt like a win. Peeters celebrated with his customary passion. He will be delighted to have snatched something from the game, but disappointed by his team’s overall performance.


Charlton: Pope; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins(Church 67); Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins (Harriott 73); Tucudean ( Moussa 56), Vetokele.

Subs (not used): Mitov, Fox, Gomez, Wilson.

Goal: Vetokele 90.

Booked: Wiggins 28(foul).



Huddersfield: Smithies; Dixon, Lynch, Wallace, Smith; Scannell (Hammill 85), Peltier (Majewski 60), Coady, Butterfield, Scannell, Bunn; Wells (Vaughan 64).

Subs (not used): Murphy, Ward, Stead, Crooks.

Goal: Wells 50.

Bookings: Peltier 44(foul), Bunn 81 (foul), Vaughan 90 (kicking ball away).

Sent Off: Wallace 45 (foul).

Tim Robinson (West Sussex).
 
Attn: 11,333 (432 Charlton).

A run of three home games in a week gave the new Valley pitch a thorough workout. The Addicks now have a break of three weeks before they play on home soil again.

Prior to that though, they face three away games in a week before the international break. First up will be Huddersfield on Saturday.

Charlton travelled to the John Smith’s Stadium three times last season. The first visit was for a Capital One Cup game in August. It would have come as something of a culture shock for the foreign players after the match, when they enjoyed fish and chips on the coach, supplied by the chip shop on Leeds Road. 

Huddersfield have had a difficult start to the season, losing their first two games. Bournemouth beat them 4-0 at the John Smith’s on the opening day of the season and the Terriers then succumbed to Cardiff.

The Bournemouth defeat cost Mark Robins his job. For once, the opposition chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ proving to be correct.

Chris Powell has been mentioned as a leading contender to succeed Robins but Mark Lillis will continue in temporary charge on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Huddersfield travelled to the Madejski and recorded a surprising 2-1 victory over Reading.

The Addicks are confident and in good form. They have injury concerns about Stephen Henderson and George Tucudean but both are likely to be fit enough to travel and be available options for Bob Peeters.

Peeters gave Nick Pope public support after his difficult game against Derby and said the former Bury Town stopper would feature on Saturday. If Henderson has recovered from his hamstring niggle though, the Irishman is likely to be recalled.

Chris Solly will probably come back in place of the impressive Joe Gomez, and warranted there has been no serious reaction from his ankle, Rhoys Wiggins will continue on the left side of defence.

The formidable duo of Tal Ben Haim and Andre Bikey will form the central defensive barrier.

The midfield quartet of Johann Gudmundsson, Yoni Buyens, Johnnie Jackson and Jordan Cousins are set to continue.

Tucudean and Igor Vetokele – fitness permitting – will continue up front.

Charlton could start with this team:

Henderson; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Tucudean, Vetokele.

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

Tim Robinson will travel from West Sussex to take charge of the game.

Peeters came desperately close to recording his first away win in England at Brentford and will be hoping to go one better on Saturday.

Another exhilarating display by the Addicks who beat another of the teams fancied for promotion on Tuesday evening.

Nick Pope came in for the injured Stephen Henderson and the young custodian had a difficult night. His kicking was wayward and a late faux-pas gave Derby hope.

Chris Solly’s knee was not risked, so Joe Gomez made his league debut on the right side of defence.

Charlton again put on an easy-on-the-eye display, as did the Rams.

The Addicks went ahead after 11 minutes with a glorious move. Johann Gudmundsson played a cross field ball to Jordan Cousins on the left.

Cousins played it into George Tucudean in the area, Tucudean swivelled and fired beyond Lee Grant’s right hand to give the hosts the lead.

Derby got themselves back into the game and levelled just past the half-hour mark, when the ball was pulled back from the byline for Jamie Ward to fire high into the net from the edge of the area.

Tucudean took a knock which saw him substituted at the break but the big Romanian had one more  vital contribution to make.

He got into the area, twisted, turned and was brought down by Richard Keogh.

Yoni Buyens smashed the resultant penalty into the roof of the net to restore Charlton’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Tucudean was replaced by Franck Moussa at the interval and Steve McClaren sent his team out early.

The Rams certainly flew out of the blocks but it was the Addicks who continued to enjoy the better chances.

Moussa scuffed a good chance when Johnnie Jackson set him up and Igor Vetokele was denied by Grant.

Gudmundsson tried his luck from range and, after Moussa was brought down, Jackson fired a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over.

Charlton looked to have sewn the game up 12 minutes from time. Moussa broke down the left and delivered a deep cross to beyond the far post.

Jackson played it back in, Lawrie Wilson headed it on and Vetokele had the simplest of headers from close range to make it 3-1.

The Addicks had a great chance to increase their lead, but Vetokele shot straight at the keeper after a sweeping move involving Gomez and Wilson.

Instead Derby reduced the arrears five minutes from the end when a Ward shot went through Pope’s legs and trickled over the line.

Charlton held their nerve though and saw the game out safely.

Both the results and style of Bob Peeters’ team is making a trip to The Valley a real joy these days.


Charlton: Pope; Gomez,  Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Gudmundsson (Fox 89), Buyens, Jackson, Cousins (Wilson 64); Vetokele, Tucudean (Moussa 46).

Subs (not used): Phillips, Morrison, Harriott, Church.

Goals: Tucudean 11, Buyens 45 (pen), Vetokele 78.

Booked: Buyens 73 (foul).


Derby: Grant; Christie,   Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Dawkins (Russell 69), Bryson, Hendrick (Best 77),  Hughes (Mascarell 46). Martin, Ward.

Subs (not used): Roos, Naylor, Eustace, Whitbread.

Booked: Bryson 35 (foul).

Referee: Michael Bull (Essex).

Attn: 15,317 (1,434 Derby).