Manchester City 3 Charlton Athletic 2

A MAGNIFICENT long-range effort from Joey Barton helped Manchester City complete a league double over Charlton at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The home side opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when the Addicks failed to clear their lines properly after a Barton corner and Richard Dunne beat Thomas Myhre with a well struck volley from 15 yards.

The visitors equalised six minutes after the break when Talal El Karkouri, who was playing after Chris Perry fell ill at the team hotel, produced a sublime cross that Darren Bent struck sweetly past David James with his left foot.

But City were back in front within three minutes when new £6million striker Georgios Samaras climbed highest to send a powerful header beyond the reach of Myhre.

Radostin Kishishev did well to block Darius Vassell's goal-bound effort just after the hour mark, but just seconds later it was 3-1 as Barton collected the ball 35 yards out before lashing an unstoppable drive past Myhre.

Four minutes later Charlton gave themselves hope when Marcus Bent converted Kishishev's inviting centre with a firm header, but it was fitting that a goal of the quality of Barton's proved to be the winner.

Charlton: Myhre, Young, El Karkouri, Spector, Hughes (Bothroyd 74), Kishishev, Smertin (Euell 74), Thomas (Ambrose 74), M Bent, D Bent.
Subs Not Used: Andersen, Powell.
Attendance: 41,347.