Charlton Athletic continued their promising return to the Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at The Valley, a result that made it back-to-back league wins and deepened a difficult week for Valerien Ismael's side. Macaulay Gillesphey, Sonny Carey and James Bree struck for the newly promoted hosts, who backed up last weekend's battling triumph at Sheffield United with another display built on defensive solidity and a ruthless second-half surge.
For Blackburn, still frustrated by the EFL's decision to replay their abandoned game against Ipswich Town despite leading with ten minutes remaining, this was another afternoon where anger and disappointment outweighed encouragement. Expected to channel a sense of injustice into a response, Rovers instead laboured in south London, created little, and were ultimately swept aside by a Charlton team that grew in belief as the match wore on.
Bree's delivery breaks the deadlock after cagey opening
The opening half-hour was scrappy and combative, with neither side able to establish rhythm. Nathan Jones' Charlton, buoyed by their win at Bramall Lane, were eager to press on the front foot, while Blackburn initially had some tidy moments in possession without seriously troubling the home defence. The main incident in that early spell was an injury blow for Charlton, as Josh Edwards was forced off with what appeared to be an ankle problem after a challenge involving Ryan Alebiosu, prompting Gillesphey's introduction from the bench.