Charlton 2 Fulham 1

CHARLTON manager Alan Curbishley has praised the patience and determination of young winger Jerome Thomas who starred in Monday’s 2-1 London derby win over Fulham.

The 21-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance before a live television audience of millions that endorsed his growing reputation as a potential match-winner.

Curbishley, who watched Thomas give Charlton the lead with his second goal for the club, admitted: “Until Monday night, he was a bit of an unknown quantity but with television coverage of the game, more people will know about him now.

“Before he joined us, he went to Queens Park Rangers on loan and he did really well there. He went back to Arsenal and then back to QPR and after that he lost his way.

“After Scott Parker left, I wanted to take a couple of young players and he was one of them. He came in and to be honest he wasn’t right for us. He wasn’t fit enough. He got a chance against Leicester last season and immediately got injured.

“But he came back for pre-season determined to get himself right and now is the best he’s looked. He saw Dennis Rommedahl come in and wondered if he would get his chance with such strong competition.

“Then he broke through and all credit to him. He’s grateful for the chance we’ve given him and he’s showing it. He’s developing a rapport with the crowd, which you saw against Fulham, and the next step for him is to score more goals.”

Meanwhile, Curbishley has stated his satisfaction with Charlton's current league form.

The Addicks have won their last three games in the Premiership and have elevated themselves to seventh in the table.

Curbishley said: “Nine points from three games is fantastic form and you still haven’t seen the best of the side. But nobody here is getting carried away because after the Southampton game we face two clubs, Everton and Arsenal, who are in the top three.”