Charlton continued on their winning way with a 2-0 win over Gillingham at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
First-half goals from Ben Reeves, and a stunner from Tariqe Fosu, were enough to seal the win.
Lee Bowyer made one change from the team that defeated AFC Wimbledon last week, with Anfernee Dijksteel coming in for the suspended Naby Sarr.
Meanwhile, Gillingham were missing leading scorer Tom Eaves with a suspected thigh problem.
The Addicks started sluggishly, and Connor Ogilvie hit the outside of the post for the visitors after 3 minutes.
But Bowyer’s side soon clicked into their neat, passing style, and took the lead just 3 minutes later.
Tomas Holy’s poor clearance was intercepted by Dijksteel, who laid the ball off to Reeves. Reeves played a one-two with Fosu, kept his composure, and finished well.
After 15 minutes, Fosu nearly doubled the lead when his shot the underside of the bar but bounced clear.
Charlton produced a sublime move after 37 minutes involving Lyle Taylor, Fosu and Reeves. Reeves’ shot was saved by Holy’s outstretched foot. But the Gills’ respite was brief.
Two minutes later Fosu produced some magic to make space for himself, then fizzed a shot just inside Holy’s left hand post from 25 yards.
Gillingham started the second-half brightly, and former Addick, Brandon Hanlan, should have done better with a free header from close in.
Charlton continued to offer the greater attacking threat, but could not add to their score. They saw the game out safely, and Bowyer was able to take off Joe Aribo and Lyle Taylor early.
A trip to the Ricoh to face Coventry on Boxing Day is next up for the Addicks. Confidence is so high at the moment, that they will fancy their chances of taking all three points again.
Bowyer was naturally delighted with his team’s performance, and singled out Fosu and Reeves for special praise:
“I said we’ve just got to be patient with him (Fosu). You don’t go from a good player to a bad player in no time at all.
“We just had to be patient, he was catching up fitness wise, so hopefully now he’s caught up and going on today’s display then I’d say we’re getting the old Tariqe back.”
The manager then had this to say about Reeves:
“He’s very clever in possession, we know what he brings in possession. Out of possession he works hard.
“I’m pleased he actually ran into the box. He doesn’t like doing that for some reason. I keep telling him ‘Get into the box, get in the box’ and today he got in two or three times.
“He should have scored another. I’m happy he’s got a goal, I think a few of them could have scored today.”
Charlton: Steer, Dijksteel, Bauer, Pearce, Solly; Bielik, Reeves, Aribo (Pratley 73), Fosu; Taylor (Hackett-Fairchild 79), Ajose.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Stevenson, Sarpong-Wiredu, Morgan, Marshall.
Goals: Reeves 6, Fosu 39.
Booked: Bielik 56 (persistent fouling)
Gillingham: Holy; Fuller (O’Neill 66), Zakuani, Lacey, Ogilvie; Byrne, Parrett, Oldaker (Reilly 46), List; Hanlan (Charles-Cook 71), Parker.
Subs (not used): Hadler, O’Neill, Garmston, Bingham, Rees.
Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).
Attn: 12,836 (1,401 Gillingham).
Picture supplied by Kent Pro Images.