Charlton 4 Blackpool 1

ALAN PARDEW was full of praise for Charlton's supporters as the club put their dismal home form behind them with Saturday's 4-1 home win against Blackpool.

Pardew, who called on fans to rally behind the team on the eve of the match, said: "I thought they were magnificent.

"This was a massive, massive game for us and I asked our supporters to get behind the side from the first whistle to the last.

"They did just that and they made the atmosphere inside the ground was extra special.

"We enjoyed an excellent win and the fans played their part. I thought there was extra energy and pace in the side.

"It was as good a performance as we've had at home all season."

The win cut the gap between Charlton and the Championship's automatic promotion places to four points ahead of Saturday's trip to former leaders Watford.

Central defender Madjid Bougherra opened the scoring with a sixth minute header from Darren Ambrose's corner.

The outstanding Luke Varney increased the lead with a well-taken second in the 11th minute before Blackpool replied within seconds with Ben Burgess's spectacular 25-yard drive.

Zheng Zhi, who meets Prime Minister Gordon Brown as part of a China delegation visiting Downing Street on Monday, stamped his authority as the game's outstanding player with goals in the 25th and 52nd minutes as Blackpool's four-match unbeaten run away from home came to an end.

But for the heroics of former Charlton goalkeeper Paul Rachubka they would have suffered a heavier defeat.

Charlton: Weaver; Moutaoaukil,McCarthy, Bougherra, Youga; Sam (Thomas 70 mins), Holland, Zheng, Ambrose (Dickson 77 mins); McLeod (Iwelumo 77 mins), Varney. Substitutes not used: Randolph, Semedo.

Attendance: 21,412.