Charlton Athletic 1 – 3 Manchester United

CHARLTON’S poor home form continued with a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premiership on Saturday.

The Addicks, who haven’t won at The Valley since defeating Wigan in their opening home game of the season, were comfortably beaten by a United side who made a good start to life without Roy Keane.

United created the first clear-cut chance when Ruud van Nistelrooy sprang the Charlton offside trap only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Herman Hreidarsson.

Charlton’s best opening of the first half came after 34 minutes when Talal El Karkouri’s long-range free-kick was deflected into the path of Darren Bent but he miscued his shot wide.

Van Nistelrooy had a shot well saved by Stephan Andersen before United broke through after 34 minutes. Wayne Rooney’s cross from the left was laid back by Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith drilled home.

Dennis Rommedahl fired a good chance over after 62 minutes, while at the other end Rooney jinked through the home defence before shooting wide.

Just when it looked as though the Addicks wouls struggle to find a way through the visitors defence Darren Ambrose brought them level on 64 minutes. The England Under-21 international played a neat interchange with Bent on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the top corner beyond Edwin van der Saar.

But the home side’s joy was short-lived as Rooney made a good run down the left and crossed for Van Nistelrooy, who controlled the ball with his chest before volleying into the net on 70 minutes.

Ambrose went close to equalising on a couple of occasions before Van Nistelrooy beat Luke Young and drove a low shot into the net to secure maximum points.

Charlton: Andersen, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Powell, Kishishev (Bothroyd 77), Smertin, Murphy, Rommedahl (Thomas 63), Ambrose, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Myhre, Perry, Hughes.