Charlton Athletic have scored quite a few late goals since returning to the Championship.
But Ivan Mesik’s finish in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time at Turf Moor last night only gave Burnley time to kick off before the full-time whistle was blown.
It often seems that Harvey Knibbs is involved when there is a headline-changing finale.
He still has the latest goal (95:57) since the Addicks won promotion back to England’s second tier. But on that occasion there was still time for Portsmouth to instantly respond and win 2-1. Outlandish.
But when Knibbs played the pass for Mesik (95:46) to beat Burnley’s unconvincing goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert, this time there was a satisfying return for Charlton in a match in which they posted the superior xG, possession and had more big opportunities.
The Clarets had a defensive vulnerability which was increased by their desire to play out from the back – typified by Miles Leaburn closing down Coudert only for his panicked attempt to clear deflecting out for a goal-kick. It was one of a number of let-offs for Nicky Hayen’s team.
Burnley captain Kyle Walker cleared off his line after Billy Koumetio met a Danny McNamara corner.
Jacob Bruun Larsen put Burnley ahead in the 36th minute. He cut on to his right foot and his shot threaded between a succession of legs, the most telling of those being Arthur Okonkwo’s.
Leaburn headed over from a Tyreece Campbell cross in the opening minutes of the second half and Charlton were level soon after.
With Coudert so skittish, it was no surprise that Charlton’s corners were causing palpitations for the hosts. McNamara’s cross came off Josh Laurent, more intent on blocking Lloyd Jones than watching the flight of the ball, and Kayne Ramsay hooked home.
Burnley made it 2-1 through Largie Ramazani seven minutes later. Poor signal on the train journey home has made watching any match action back impossible, but the suggestion was that Oliver Skipp lost the ball cheaply. Koumetio chose to back off and Ramazani finished low into the bottom left corner of the net.
Charlton were heading for a third straight away loss until Mesik struck. Knibbs produced a decisive pass after Conor Coventry’s long ball bounced off the back of Hjalmar Ekdal’s head. Mesik took one touch before opting to go across Coudert, who definitely should have done better.
Below are all the main quotes from Nathan Jones.
How do you sum that game up?
Jones: “We were excellent. First half we had less control but we had really clear cut chances to take the lead and make the scoreline a lot more comfortable for us at half-time.
“At half-time we just reiterated the game plan and we were excellent. The disappointing thing is that after controlling the early stages and scoring, from a counter-attack we allow them to go through us.
“We’ve had so many chances. We’ve had four clear cut ones. We outpassed them and worked hard. We are the away team, coming to an ex-Premier League team. I’m proud of the performance. We should have scored more and we definitely shouldn’t have conceded the goals we did.”
How would you sum up your emotions after the ball went into the net for Ivan’s goal? I saw you hanging off the dugout at one point.
Jones: “Well I was getting dog’s abuse from one individual behind it, so I just wanted to let them know that it is never over.”
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