Manchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 0

CHARLTON, who gave champions Chelsea a fright a week earlier, made Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United battle all the way for a hard-earned win at Old Trafford.

The Addicks made much the brighter start of the two teams and in the 13th minute United goalkeeper Tomas Kuszczak was at full stretch in tipping a Darren Ambrose header round a post.

United took a 24th minute lead when Ji-sung Park headed home a deflected cross.

China captain Zheng Zhi replaced the injured Amady Faye for his Charlton debut in the 39th minute and immediately added extra pace to the midfield.

Charlton always looked capable of producing an equaliser until the 82nd minute when Wayne Rooney's cross was headed home by Darren Fletcher.

Charlton: Carson, Sankofa, Diawara, Bougherra, Thatcher, Rommedahl, Song, Faye (Zheng 40), Holland (Hughes 73), Ambrose (Lisbie 73), M Bent.
Subs Not Used: Randolph, Hasselbaink.
Attendance: 75,883.

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