Talal does the trick
Charlton added to Blackburn's away day woes with a narrow 1-0 win at The Valley.
Charlton Athletic added to Blackburn's away day woes with a narrow 1-0 win at The Valley on Monday night.
Talal El Karkouri's first goal for Charlton early in the second half was enough to give The Addicks all three points to maintain their unbeaten run at home and inflict a first Premiership defeat on new Rovers boss Mark Hughes.
Blackburn almost scored with their first real attack of the game on seven minutes when Matt Jansen broke down the left and cut the ball back for Garry Flitcroft who somehow managed to hit his point-blank against the post from just two yards out.
Charlton suffered a blow 12 minutes in when Francis Jeffers was forced off with a neck problem and was replaced by Jonatan Johansson.
Paul Dickov went close for Rovers two minutes later when he beat Chris Perry on the edge of the box and sent in a curling shot which Dean Kiely superbly kept out with a flying save.
Blackburn defender Dominic Matteo got in a vital block on 16 minutes to deny Johansson's goalbound shot and although Charlton claimed the defender stopped the ball with his hands referee Steve Dunn waved away their claims for a penalty.
Three minutes later Luke Young tried his luck from 25 yards when the ball dropped invitingly to him on the edge of the area, but his shot flashed just over the crossbar.
Charlton continued to press forward in the first half, but failed to trouble Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Whatever Alan Curbishley said at the break seemed to have the desired effect for Charlton as they came out in determined fashion for the second half.
El Karkouri fashioned a great chance for Kevin Lisbie on 47 minutes with a great run and pass from midfield to send the striker clear on goal, but the Jamaican international dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Charlton broke the deadlock two minutes later when El Karkouri escaped his marker Lucas Neill to head Danny Murphy's corner powerfully past Friedel.
Jon Stead created a chance for himself on 69 minutes with a neat turn past Hreidarsson inside the box, but he sent his shot fizzing just over the crossbar. Blackburn had loud claims for a penalty rejected on 72 minutes when Emerton's cross appeared to strike Hreidarsson on the hand, but Dunn turned down their appeals. Friedel kept his side in the contest six minutes from time with a fine save with his feet to deny substitute Radostin Kishishev after Lisbie had picked him out unmarked inside the box. Lisbie missed a glorious chance to make the game safe a minute later when he headed Graham Stuart's cross over the top. Jansen had a great opportunity to draw Rovers level in the dying moments when Tugay picked him out inside the box with a precise pass, but the striker could not aim his header on target. There was still time for Lisbie to grab a second when he sent clear on goal by Jason Euell, but he delayed and his shot was blocked. Click here for player ratings. Charlton Athletic Blackburn Rovers Possession % 43% 57% Goals 1 0 Shots on target 2 4 Shots off target 5 7 Blocked shots 4 5 Corners 6 10 Fouls 20 15 Offsides 4 5 Yellow cards 1 1 Red cards 0 0 
