It’s the latest review of the week from South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition.
Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper makes a sliding challenge on Millenic Alli/Picture: Paul Edwards
Alli understated after Charlton Athletic end long winless spell
Millenic Alli delivered a goal and assist as the Addicks defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
But the summer signing from Luton Town seemed to modestly downplay his involvement in the victory, which halted an 11-match winless run for Nathan Jones’ side.
Alli was one of four changes from Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers.
He scored his first goal for the club in the 12th minute and crossed from the right side of the penalty area for Matty Godden to pounce in the second half.
“The opportunity came and I took it,” said Alli, when asked about putting Charlton ahead. “I was fortunate for the ball to go in. It is always special (to open your account for a team) and hopefully I will score more.
“We get into the right positions and it’s our job to produce from there (for Godden’s goal).
“That was a massive win, for myself and for the club. We have had a few games where we have struggled a little bit, so it was good to turn it around.
“I’ve not been involved as much (at the start of the season). Today I had the opportunity - I give glory to God that I was able to do well.”
The post-match pod after Sheffield United can be found here.
Nathan’s nearly on the pitch again…
I wanted to record the full-time reaction of Nathan Jones after that vital victory against the Blades - but ended up also capturing one of his touchline runs.
The Charlton boss did a similar kind of thing in last season’s 2-1 win over Hull City as he almost matched Jayden Fevrier’s run.
Jones punched the air when the ball went out of play on Saturday and then pushed Millenic Alli away from taking the throw in.
Below is his muted post-match celebration in front of the Covered End. Pretty much all of Jones’ comments after the match can be found here.
Derby dismay for Charlton Women
Charlton Athletic made it nine straight losses in the WSL after a 3-2 reverse at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
This result is liable to sting.
The Addicks had fought back to lead 2-1 going into the final 10 minutes, only for their south London rivals to score twice to deny them putting a first point on the board.
Leah Davidson had a header tipped over by Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin inside the opening 20 seconds.
Charlton boss Karen Hills had restored Sophie Whitehouse to her starting line-up but she made a huge error for the opening goal on 57 minutes. Whitehouse punched Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s near-post cross into her own net.
Keira Flannery’s spot-kick hit the crossbar
The visitors were level on 73 minutes. Cassandra Korhonen went down as Teyah Goldie stuck out an arm as they battled for the ball in the box. Keira Flannery’s penalty hit the crossbar but Elisha N’Dow headed in the rebound.
Davidson almost instantly made it 2-1, firing home after Peyraud-Magnin was unable to hold a powerful low shot by Jodie Hutton.
Palace equalised in the 81st minute. Charlton struggled to clear a corner and failed to win two successive headers in the box - Aimee Everitt nodding past Whitehouse.
Beth England decided the contest, reacting quickly from six yards out after a cross came off Lucia Lobato.
“The performance deserved more today but if you defend like that you are going to get punished,” said Hills. “We were the better team in pretty much a lot of the game. When we went 2-1 up we probably needed to keep pushing.
“We need to look at some of the goals we conceded, especially in terms of dealing with what they were throwing in the box.”
Docherty makes winning start at North End
Greg Docherty has signed a contract with Preston North End until the end of the season.
Charlton released their club captain at the end of the summer transfer window.
The Scot, 30, came on for the closing stages of North End’s 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday. They still remain bottom and seven points adrift of safety.
“I left my previous club quite suddenly,” Docherty told North End’s YouTube last week. “It wasn't something I expected or was in the pipeline. It was just best for both parties at the time. Suddenly you are thinking 'what are you going to do now?'
“As a footballer you sometimes take it for granted that you're training every day and keeping fit - you have that routine and stimulation.
“I was working one to one with a coach. It allowed me to work on stuff that I probably couldn't in a group environment. Don't get me wrong, it was difficult keeping fit but I pride myself on keeping fit.
Parker tasked with ironing out issues
Former Charlton Athletic midfielder Scott Parker was appointed West Ham United head coach on Wednesday.
The 46-year-old instantly took charge and was in the away dugout for a 3-3 draw at Cardiff City that same evening. The Hammers fought back from trailing 3-0 at the break.
Parker - who has won promotion from the Championship as a boss at Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley - has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.
“My energy levels, my enthusiasm, my desire, my passion - it's absolutely running through and that’s the feeling I had as soon as there was a conversation that this was possible,” he told the club’s website after his appointment. “That’s exactly why I’m here and why I want to be here.”
West Ham lost 2-1 at Blackburn on Saturday and are ninth in the table.
Karl Robinson takes a selfie with Jermain Defoe on Saturday/Picture: Keith Gillard
Robinson in at Bromley
Karl Robinson is the new manager of Bromley.
The Ravens, who sacked Andy Woodman last month, have moved for the Scouser, who parted company with Salford City in June.
Robinson had 75 matches as Charlton boss between November 2016 and March 2018.
“Karl brings an elite level of experience, tactical acumen, and a proven track record of competing at the sharp end of League One,” Bromley chairman Robin Stanton-Gleaves told their official website.
“His relentless energy matches our ambition perfectly, and we are unified in our vision to drive this football club forward into an exciting new era.”
Jermain Defoe is set to become Robinson’s assistant and was at their match on Saturday, a 2-0 home loss to Rotherham United in the FA Cup first round.
Conor Coady/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Coady retires
Conor Coady announced on Friday that his playing days are over.
The last of the 33-year-old’s 503 matches was Charlton Athletic’s 3-1 loss to Swansea City on the final day of last season.
Coady signed for the Addicks in the winter transfer window. He scored a vital winner at Middlesbrough. He featured 12 times after joining on loan from Wrexham.
“Lived the dream. Eternally grateful, thank you,” posted Coady on his Instagram account.
Ellis McMillan playing for Charlton U18s last season/Picture: Keith Gillard
McMillan’s goal flurry for U21s
Ellis McMillan helped himself to FIVE goals in Charlton Athletic U21s’ 6-2 win over Stockport County in the Premier League Cup on Tuesday.
The Addicks led 4-0 by the interval with McMillan completing his hat-trick inside the opening 38 minutes.
Sam Washington-Amoah also got in the act on the stroke of half-time.
McMillan netted again early in the second period before bagging another on 73 minutes.
Charlton are top of Group I with 10 points from four matches. They play Leeds next in the competition on November 20.
Non-league loan for young defender
Josh Laqeretabua has joined Eastleigh United on a short-term arrangement.
The 21-year-old centre-back had spent the opening five months on loan at Dorking Wanderers, making five appearances in National League South.
Laqeretabua came on in the 76th minute of their 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Tyler Bindon has been called up by New Zealand/Picture: Kyle Andrews
International call-ups
Tyreece Campbell has been selected by Jamaica for their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final fixture against Mexico.
The tie is two-legged with the Reggae Boyz at home on November 15 before heading to Monterrey three days later.
Conor Coventry (Republic of Ireland) and Ivan Mesik (Slovakia) have UEFA Nations League matches. Tyler Bindon is in the New Zealand squad for two friendlies against India.
TV picks
Charlton have had four matches selected for coverage in January and February.
The home game against Watford is now on January 17 (midday kick off) and will be on Sky Sports Football.
The same channel will show the fixture against Wolves on February 6 (12.30pm) and at Portsmouth, now 12.30pm on February 13.
Sky Sports+ will televise the February 27 trip to Bristol City (12.30pm).