Just prior to the match, Burnley officials were working hard to clear surface water off the pitch that had put the match in doubt. The rain and swirling wind made it difficult for both teams to get the ball down and play. It was Burnley who made the brighter start and could have taken the lead in the first ten minutes. Kyle Lafferty was put clear down the left hand side and from his centre; James O’Connor rose to head just over the Charlton crossbar.
Burnley continued to pile on the pressure, with Charlton’s Paddy McCarthy doing well to clear from inside his own 6-yard area. Charlton began to get themselves into the game, and should have taken the lead 20 minutes in. Jerome Thomas showed good skill to get past Burnley right back Graham Alexander and with Andy Gray and Leroy Lita waiting in the middle, Thomas blasted over from a tight angle. Both teams were trying to keep the ball down but chances were few and far between. Just before the break, Lita held the ball up well for the Addicks and laid the ball inside for Darren Ambrose. The former Newcastle man ghosted past Stan Varga and from the edge of the area drew a fine save from Gabor Kiraly down to his right.
Charlton started the second half as they ended the first. Former Claret Andy Gray raced clear of the Burnley back line, but just as he was about to pull the trigger, Clarke Carlisle slid in to deny Gray his first goal for the Londoners, at the expense of a corner. From the corner Charlton should have scored again. Sam Sodje found himself all alone, but somehow headed straight at Kiraly.
With just under an hour played, the deadlock was broken. Robbie Blake held the ball up well for Burnley, and after Stylishly laying the ball through Jose Semedo’s legs Elliott smashed home his first goal of the season in his 100th appearance in a Claret shirt.
Wade Elliott celebrates with Burnley manager
Owen Coyle (picture- viewimages)
The goal gave Burnley confidence and The Clarets began to pass the ball around at a much higher tempo. Burnley almost doubled their advantage minutes later, as former Chelsea left back Jon Harley, ventured forward and fizzed a 30-yard shot just wide of the top corner. Andy Cole and Blake then combined well to set up Alan Mahon who also gave Weaver a scare as Burnley pressed for a killer second.
Charlton boss Alan Pardew responded accordingly, bringing on strikers, Chris Iwelumo and Luke Varney to try and rescue a point. It nearly worked to immediate effect as Iwelumo headed wide when well placed. Charlton had Burnley on the back foot and launched high ball after high ball into the Clarets area. The defence and goalkeeper dealt with the majority, but Varney wasted Charlton’s best chance. Iwelumo headed dangerously across goal, only for the unmarked Varney to head well wide. Matt Holland drilled a low ball across the box, but no Charlton player could apply a telling touch.
Burnley played out the four minutes injury time and held on for all three points.
The teams were;Burnley: Gabor Kiraly, Graham Alexander, Clarke Carlisle, Stanislav Varga, Jon Harley, Wade Elliott, James O'Connor, Alan Mahon (John Spicer 64), Kyle Lafferty, Robbie Blake (Mark Randall 87), Andrew Cole (Ade Akinbiyi 75). Subs not used: Brian Jensen, David Unsworth.
Charlton: Nicky Weaver, Greg Halford, Sam Sodje, Patrick McCarthy, Ben Thatcher, Darren Ambrose (Luke Varney 69), Matt Holland, Jose Semedo (Zheng Zhi 79), Jerome Thomas, Andy Gray (Chris Iwelumo 69), Leroy Lita. Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Jonathan Fortune.Referee:
Phil Joslin (Newark).
Attendance: 10,780.
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