Charlton Athletic showed yesterday why they are one of the favourites to be promoted from League One this season, with a good performance against a strong Swindon side.
The Addicks made four changes to the starting line up following the Millwall game and saw Jonjo Shelvey returning to lead a midfield diamond.
Charlton looked very strong throughout the game, especially when you take into consideration that Sam Sodje was removed from play with a blood injury after only 5 minutes.
It was the home side that looked most likely to open the scoring as well, Deon Burton missing a golden opportunity in the opening minutes.
The game started to change after 18 minutes as Sam Sodje inexplicably dived in with two feet outside the Swindon box, the referee saw no hesitation and the straight red was produced.
This event did not dampen the home spirits however, as Jonjo Shelvey linked up with Deon Burton on the edge of the area on 38 minutes to drive the ball home 1 -0.
The drama of the first half was far from over though as Deon Burton, who has been key for the Addicks all season, lost his head in a moment of madness and punched the ball in open play. The striker, who had already been booked, was visibly devastated as the ref produced his second yellow and Charlton’s second red card of the afternoon.
Charlton managed to hang on to go in at half time 1 -0 up but with only nine men on the pitch.
The second half began and, as expected Swindon attacked ferociously. Charlton managed to stifle the oppositions attacks and nearly went 2 -0 up only for the ball to be cleared off the line by the Robins defence.
It was, if anything, inevitable that Swindon would eventually score, and they managed to get 2 in the space of 20 minutes with goals on the 56 and 74 minute marks.
Many of the Addickted at this point were accepting the idea that Charlton’s unbeaten home run may finally come to an end.
Phil Parkinson was not one of these people, and with 10 minutes remaining, Parky introduced Scott Wagstaff and Chris Dickson to the fray, and went with a 3 – 2 – 3 formation.
The effect was immediate and positive as Swindon were put on the back foot and had to fight with everything they had to stop the Addicks from getting an equaliser.
Just when they thought they were ok, Miguel Llera struck.
The Spanish centre back managed to find himself unmarked inside the box, and with the ball bouncing in front of him, he poked a shot past David Lucas to send The Valley into jubilation at the news that Charlton had achieved a draw.
Brentford is next up for the Addicks tomorrow as Charlton look to end December with a record of 4 wins and 2 draws from 6 games and a total going into 2010 of 50 points from 24 games.
Come on you Addicks!