Charlton performed magnificently at the Amex on Saturday afternoon,but Brighton ultimately maintained their unbeaten record and stay top of the table, after Charlton had stormed into a two goal lead.
Chris Solly returned at right-back, Harry Lennon replaced Naby Sarr as Patrick Bauer’s partner, and Reza Ghoochannejhad and Ricardo Vaz Te came in for Johnnie Jackson and Simon Makienok.
Karel Fraeye went with a 4-3-3 formation, with Ade Lookman operating on the left of Ghoochannejhad and Vaz Te up front.
Igor Vetokele travelled with the squad, and Mikhail Kennedy and Ollie Muldoon were also in attendance.
The game got off to a cracking start for the Addicks, when Lookman gave them the lead inside two minutes. Vaz Te played the ball out to the youngster who cut in, twisted and turned before rifling the ball past David Stockdale.
Three minutes later, the travelling faithful were in dreamland. Lookman was felled on the edge of the box, but the ball fell kindly for Johann Gudmundsson, who squared for Ghoochannejhad to convert from close range.
Charlton continued to create the better chances and Stockdale had to pull off a smart save from Ghoochannejhad to prevent the visitors increasing their lead.
Lennon and Solly March went for a ball after 24 minutes, and both sustained cuts to their heads. Lennon was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Sarr. The change would later have serious repercussions for the Addicks.
Just past the half-hour mark, Gudmundsson had a good effort blocked, and deep in stoppage time, Stockdale had to react quickly to foil the impressive Lookman.
The Lennon injury contributed to the eight minutes of time that Keith Stroud added on.
The second period got off to a terrible start for Charlton. Having been comfortable at the back all afternoon, they conceded a goal just six minutes after the restart.
Alou Diarra lost possession in the middle of the park, the Seagulls broke quickly, and Manchester United loanee, James Wilson, finished neatly.
After 59 minutes, Bobby Zamora broke free, only to be hauled back by Bauer. The German defender was shown a straight red, his second of the season.
With Sarr already on, midfield shield Diarra had to move into the back line. Jordan Cousins was already on a yellow card, so the Addicks’ midfield naturally lost some of its bite.
Charlton suffered another blow sixteen minutes from the end when Gudmundsson limped off and had to be replaced by Tareiq Holmes-Dennis.
Two late goals cruelly robbed Fraeye’s team of a result. Zamorra netted following a goalmouth scramble and then substitute, Tomer Hemed headed home a right-wing cross.
The Addicks deserved something for their brave performance, but Fraeye will be hugely impressed with how his team played.
Charlton: Henderson; Solly, Bauer, Lennon (Sarr 29), Fox; Gudmundsson (Holmes-Dennis 74), Diarra, Cousins; Ghoochannejhad, Vaz Te (Ba 65), Lookman.
Subs (not used): Pope, Charles-Cook, Ahearne-Grant, Makienok.
Booked: Cousins 43 (persistent fouling), Henderson 45(time wasting), Fox 90 (foul), Solly 90 (foul).
Sent off: Bauer 58 (denying a goalscoring opportunity).
Goals: Lookman 2, Ghoochannejhad 5.
Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Calderon (van La Parra 83); Murphy (Hemed 73), Stephens, Kayal, March; Zamora, Wilson (Chicksen 90).
Subs (not used): Maenpaa, Huenemeier, Ince, Manu.
Booked: Calderon 45 (foul), Stephens 75 (foul).
Goals: Wilson 50, Zamora 84, Hemed 85
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
Attn: 24,587 (1,206 Charlton).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic