Charlton 2 Liverpool 0

ROARED on by the noisiest of supports and stirred by the positive words of their manager, Charlton conquered the European Champions before a sell-out crowd on a magical Wednesday evening.

Few people not connected with the Addicks expected them to to prosper against such illustrious opposition.

Often out-thought and out-passed by Liverpool with their diligent movement and resourceful one-touch football, Charlton responded by battling, scraping and upping good, old-fashioned work-rate.

While the champions of Europe stroked rather than battered the ball, Charlton held their nerve, and waited before being presented with two chances in the final five minutes of the first half.

The first arrived controversially in the 41st minute with referee Alan Marriner penalising Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek for upending Darren Bent. The Pole vehemently protested that he had not touched Charlton’s top-scorer and after being cautioned employed the same goalline antics used in last season’s European Cup final.

Bent took not a blind bit of notice before coolly despatching goal number 15 for the season and a belated birthday present after turning 22 on Monday.

Worse was to follow for Liverpool in first half stoppage time when Alexei Smertin’s cross presented skipper Luke Young with a glorious opportunity that he buried with some style.

It could have been far worse for Liverpool as Darren Bent hit the bar with a terrific effort on the run in the 61st minute from Young’s cross. Two minutes later, Marcus Bent saw his shot hit the base of a post from a cross supplied by his namesake.