Charlton 1 Norwich City 3
Charlton fell to their first home defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 3-1 by Norwich City at The Valley.
Nathan Jones made four changes from the side that started at Watford last weekend. Charlie Kelman came in for his first start of the season. Josh Edwards, Joe Rankin-Costello and Sonny Carey were also drafted into the line-up.
The Addicks made a bright start and threatened inside the opening minute when Kelman’s pass found Tyreece Campbell in space, but the winger’s effort was straight at Daniel Grimshaw. Norwich thought they had taken the lead six minutes later through Jack Stacey, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Charlton made their early pressure count and on 10 minutes, they took a deserved lead. Kayne Ramsay did brilliantly to win possession from Oscar Schwartau in midfield before feeding Rankin-Costello, whose perfectly weighted pass sent Kelman through on goal. The striker showed great composure to round Grimshaw and calmly slot home in front of the Covered End.
Kelman continued to cause problems for the Canaries' defence, with his movement stretching the visitors’ back line, but his effort on goal was a tame one. At the other end, Billy Koumetio produced a superb last-ditch tackle in to deny Mathias Kvistgaarden an equaliser.
The visitors drew themselves level on 34 minutes when Paris Maghoma found space away from Conor Coventry before curling an excellent effort beyond Arthur Okonkwo.
Both sides went into the break level at 1-1, but Norwich emerged after half-time looking to turn the game around. Andre Brooks came close to putting the visitors ahead almost instantly after kick-off, but steered Maghoma’s cross wide of the post.
Minutes later, Norwich took the lead. Ruairi McConville delivered a fine ball towards the back post, where Kvistgaarden rose highest to head home and put the Canaries in front.
Jones responded with a triple substitution on 55 minutes, introducing Ivan Mesík, Harvey Knibbs and Miles Leaburn as Charlton looked to get back into the contest.
The Addicks thought they had equalised on 57 minutes, when McConville headed the ball into his own net, but the assistant referee’s flag ruled the goal out for offside.
The home side continued to search for an equaliser, and Campbell did well to get the better of Maghoma before driving forward and finding Kelman in some space but the striker’s effort was smothered by Grimshaw.
Alan Mwamba replaced Coventry in the 75th minute, but Norwich extended their advantage just a minute later. Anthony Musaba sent a cross into the box, which Mesík inadvertently turned into his own net beyond Okonkwo to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
Micah Mbick was the gaffer's final change of the afternoon, replacing Rankin-Costello on 83 minutes, but Charlton were unable to find a way back into the game.
The final whistle confirmed a disappointing afternoon for the Addicks, who suffered their first home defeat of the season after Norwich came from behind to secure all three points at The Valley.
Charlton: Okonkwo; Ramsay, Jones (c), Koumetio, Edwards (Mesík 55); Rankin-Costello (Mbick 83), Coventry (Mwamba 75); Grant (Leaburn 55), Carey (Knibbs 55), Campbell; Kelman
Subs (not used): Mannion, Bindon, Bell, Alli
Goal: Kelman 10
Assist: Rankin-Costello 10
Booked: Grant 27 (foul on Stacey), Edwards 32 (foul on Brooks), Knibbs 69 (foul on Schwartau), Koumetio 88 (foul on Wright)
Norwich City: Grimshaw; Stacey, McConville, Darling, Chrisene; Wright, Mattsson (c) (McClean, 46); Brooks (Musaba 75), Maghoma (Feld 65) Schwartau (Yongwa 87); Kvistgaarden (Makama 75)
Subs (not used): Kovacevic, Crnac, Córdoba, Fisher
Goals: Maghoma 35, Kvistgaarden 50, Mesík (og) 76
Assists: Kvistgaarden 35, McConville 50
Booked: Kvistgaarden 29 (foul on Koumetio), Crnac 76 (entering field of play without permission)
Attendance: 19,588 (3,055 from Norwich)
