Charlton Athletic vs Manchester City
Match pulse
CHAAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Man City 5-2
Manchester City beat Charlton Athletic 5-2 on Sunday, December 4, 2005 at The Valley. Goals for Charlton: Darren Bent (36') and Jay Bothroyd (73'). Goals for Man City: Andrew Cole (25', 84'), Trevor Sinclair (37'), Joey Barton (69') and Darius Vassell (79').
Play by play
- 93'
FULL-TIME: A woeful defensive performance from Charlton as they are taken apart by Cole and Vassell. Barton was another who was excellent this afternoon for the visitors.
- 92'
City win another corner when Croft's cross is deflected behind by Hreidarsson.
- 90'
City boss Pearce made five changes for the game this afternoon, bringing in experience over youth, and the policy ahs clearly paid off; City have been excellent today.
- 89'
There are some very glum faces around The Valley as they contemplate a sixth successive defeat, in all competitions.
- 88'
Wright-Phillips slides a pass in to Ireland, who allows it to run to Vassell; he turns inside the penalty area, but his left-foot shot is weak and Kiely saves.
- 87'
"Blue Moon" rings around the Valley as the City fans celebrate a great victory.
- 86'
SUBS: Wright-Phillips, Croft and Ireland replace Sinclair, Cole and Reyna. Pearce brings on three youngsters on for the final minutes to give them a little more experience.
- 85'
The Charlton fans won;t be happy with their team's performance this afternoon, and are making their thoughts heard.
- 84'
This has become a bit of a rout now; despite looking shakey at the back themselves, City have torn the Charlton defence apart all afternoon, with Cole and Vassell excellent.
- 83'
GOAL! Perry's header back is weak, and gives Cole the chance to round Kiely and slot a shot inside the near post.
- 83'
Hughes sends a long cross to Bothroyd at the back post, but his header is weak and straight at James.
- 82'
SAVE! Charlton break at pace through Thomas, who rolls the ball to Bent, on the penalty spot. The young striker takes his time, but places his shot too close to the City keeper, who palms over the bar.
- 81'
SUB: Ambrose off, Hughes on. Curbishley uses his final roll of the dice, replacing a midfielder with another midfielder.
- 80'
In contrast, Charlton are facing their sixth home defeat in succession; a terrible record for Curbishley to deal with.
- 79'
City boss Pearce celebrated Vassell's goal with a passionate punch of his fist. Surely that should see the points go home with the Blues?
- 78'
GOAL! Cole sends his strike partner Vassell through down the left channel, and the England man keeps his cool to place his shot under Kiely and finish the match.
- 77'
This is only the second time this season that City have conceded two goals or more in a game, but they look a little nervous at the back as the final minutes approach.
- 76'
This game has really come to life; the fans are roaring on their sides and the play has become really fast and open.
- 75'
Dunne is booked for pushing Thomas as they chased a long clearance up field from Kiely.
- 75'
More panic in the City area, though they eventually clear and mount a great counter attack through Cole and Vassell.
- 74'
James is forced to put a shot from Ambrose behind for a corner. Nervous moments for City.
- 73'
We're in for a cracking finish here; Bothroyd's bullet shot should perhaps have been saved by James at his near post, but it has brought the Charlton fans and team alive.
- 72'
GOAL! Murphy tees up Bothroyd, who blasts a low shot from the corner of the area inside James' near post.
- 71'
Charlton were furious that the referee deemed the offence took place outside the penalty area, though replays show the official made the correct decision. He books Young for dissent, and then Reyna for encroaching at the free-kick.
- 70'
Bothroyd falls under a tackle from Thatcher; the Charlton man tumbles inside the penaltya area, though the foul was committed outside. Free-kick.
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