Sky Bet Championship: Charlton boss Bob Peeters hails Andre Bikey's defensive heroics

Charlton boss Bob Peeters praised Andre Bikey for his defensive heroics in the 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory at Reading.

While Igor Vetokele's goal just before half-time proved the difference between the two sides, it was former Royals centre-back Bikey who was hailed by his manager.

Bikey played a vital role as the Addicks held on, especially keeping quiet home striker Glenn Murray.

"I told Andre that he played as a real central defender," Peeters said. "Sometimes, there is some nonchalance in his game and some errors.

"But today, he played as a real centre-back when there was a 50-50 ball or one-touch defence was needed.

"He never gave his opponent one chance. That's what I want from my centre-backs. To be very solid."

The win was Charlton's first win in four matches, which moved them up to eighth in the table, and Peeters revealed he was proud of his players.

"It was a great team effort," he added. "I was very proud of my players, it was a very professional performance. We stood our ground and managed to keep the result."

Neither side had been in particularly good form prior to their meeting at the Madejski Stadium. Reading had won only twice in nine league games and Charlton only three in 13.

It reflected in the dull opening, with Charlton rarely venturing towards the Reading area, but they still managed to go ahead in the 39th minute.

Chris Solly slung over a well-flighted cross from the right and, with the home defence having gone missing, Vetokele flicked his header past goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Michael Hector could have equalised shortly before half-time but, with the goal at his mercy, he nodded wide of the far post from Jordan Obita's corner.

The hosts continued in the second half where they had left off in the first, pressing forward in waves but Charlton defended resolutely, with Bikey inspirational.

Oliver Norwood went close for the hosts, striking the outside of a post from 20 yards, and Charlton goalkeeper Stephen Henderson produced a superb save to keep out a Jamie Mackie piledriver.

Charlton could have doubled their winning margin on the break near the end but substitute George Tucudean was twice denied by Federici.

"We had 20 shots, 35 crosses, 12 corners and we got beaten 1-0," Reading manager Nigel Adkins said. "I thought we started in a way that we could go on and win the game.

"Then Charlton have had the one cross into the box and scored from it. It gave them something to defend and they did it very well.

"We probably had 60-40 per cent of the possession and all those crosses and corners. But was the quality really there that we needed? We just haven't put the ball in the back of the net.

"The one stat that matters is that it was 1-0 to Charlton."