Charlton Athletic were in sensational form as they destroyed Rochdale 4-0 at The Valley securing third place in Sky Bet League One in the process.
The Addicks began the day in fifth but the win, combined with Portsmouth and Sunderland dropping points, means Charlton will face sixth place Doncaster Rovers in the Sky Bet League One play-offs.
Joe Aribo, Lyle Taylor and Krystian Bielik all found the net and Dale’s Calvin Andrew put past his own keeper as Charlton dominated from start to finish.
In terms of team news Patrick Bauer, Bielik and Taylor returned to the side from injury and Albie Morgan and Josh Parker joined them in a starting lineup that contained five changes from the side that beat Gillingham last week.
Charlton were on top right from kick-off with Aribo having a decent chance well blocked in just the second minute and then curling wide from just inside the area minutes later.
Therefore it wasn’t a surprise when the talented midfielder gave the home side a 19th minute lead. Indeed it was Aribo who started the move, intercepting a pass meant for Kgosi Ntlhe just inside Charlton’s half. He broke with speed and fed Taylor whose shot was smothered into the path of Parker. The striker cleverly touched to Aribo, who was able to curl into the far corner with his left foot from two yards inside the penalty area.
Charlton piled on the pressure and doubled their lead in 32nd minute thanks to an own goal by Rochdale winger Andrew. Taylor deceived his defender, dropping his shoulder and getting to the byline on the right wing, his deep cross evaded his strike partner but with Ben Purrington powering in at the back post, Andrew could only bundle into his own net.
Taylor made it 3-0 in the 40th minute with his 24th goal of the campaign when he capitalised on a delicious through ball from inside Charlton’s half from Academy graduate Morgan. Rochdale, playing a high line, were unable to catch the in form striker who collected half-way inside the opposition half from where he advanced before slotting past the onrushing Josh Lillis in the Dale goal.
Parker had an effort well blocked just before half-time after a neat cut back from the right from the marauding Aribo.
The second half started as the first finished with Morgan and Parker both coming close but shooting wide with Taylor heavily involved in the build-up for both.
Bielik scored the fourth after playing a sharp one-two with Morgan before calmly slotting the ball across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner of the goal.
The pressure continued and Lillis had to be at his best to deny a fantastic first time Morgan strike following a cross from the right from Taylor.
Charlton: Phillips; Djiksteel, Bauer (C), Sarr, Purrington; Bielik (Pratley, 83), Cullen, Morgan, Aribo (Reeves, 89); Taylor (Marshall, 83), Parker.
Subs (not used): Maxwell, Page, Pearce, Lapslie
Goals: Aribo 19, Andrew (og) 32, Taylor 40, Bielik 75
Booked: Sarr 50 (foul on Pyke)
Rochdale: Lillis, Ntlhe (Bunney, 62), Delaney, Williams, Andrew (C), Camps, Keohane, Adshead, Hamilton, Morley, Pyke
Subs (not used): Wade, McNulty, Done, Wilbraham, Bunney, Henderson, Bradley
Booked: Keohane 57 (foul on Parker), Delaney 90 (foul on Parker)
Attendance: 12,705 (290 from Rochdale)