Football Review | Sheffield United 0 - 1 Charlton Athletic

Tanto Olaofe struck a stoppage-time winner to hand Charlton a deserved victory over Sheffield United.

In a tight contest, Nathan Jones’s side carried the greater threat, despite long spells of Blades possession.

Author | Morgan

Stadium | Bramall Lane

Charlton defended well throughout

The afternoon had been set up for Sheffield United. Chris Wilder, appointed for a third spell in charge earlier this week, was welcomed back by 30,185 inside a buoyant Bramall Lane. But Charlton’s sharpness on the counter soon punctured the sense of occasion.

A closer look at what happened

Jones made two changes from the team that faced Millwall, handing full debuts to Reece Burke and James Bree. The Addicks almost took the lead inside two minutes when Greg Docherty released Charlie Kelman, whose shot flashed just wide. Tyreece Campbell also went close after a smart pass from his strike partner.

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The hosts struggled to create clear chances, though Gustavo Hamer’s effort from a short corner was deflected narrowly wide, while Michael Cooper had to be alert to deny Lloyd Jones just before the interval. Sonny Carey was also denied by a fine block from Japhet Tanganga in first-half stoppage time.

Sheffield United threatened again early in the second half through Tyrese Campbell, only for Josh Edwards to snuff out the danger, while Docherty twice headed wide at the other end during a commanding display in midfield.

Charlton pushed harder as the game wore on. Miles Leaburn forced Cooper into another strong save, before Bree fired over from the edge of the area. The breakthrough came deep into stoppage time when Leaburn’s flick and Harvey Knibbs’s header released Bree on the right. His low cross was met by Olaofe, who swept home from close range to spark jubilant celebrations among the away support.

The result lifts Charlton to 11th in the Championship, with Blackburn Rovers due at The Valley next weekend.

Manager analysis

Charlton manager Nathan Jones described the win  as excellent and said his side fully deserved it. He highlighted the context of the match, pointing to a full house at Bramall Lane and the return of Chris Wilder, a manager strongly associated with the club’s past success, and felt Charlton’s level of performance in those circumstances was outstanding.

Fan reaction

Jonathan: What a marvellous win for Charlton! There was only one team that was going to go on and win this game. Onwards and upwards.

Edward: A very good day for Charlton. Another three points to help us stay up in this division, where we belong.

Yvonne: Oh my days… you made us all wait until the 90th minute, but oh boy we got those three points.