Two goals in six minutes, either side of half-time, were enough for the Addicks to take all three points from Home Park on Saturday afternoon.
Team wise, Lee Bowyer made two changes from the side that beat Bradford City last week - Chris Solly and Krystian Bielik replaced Anfernee Dijksteel and Ben Reeves, who dropped to the bench.
How Charlton went in at the break a goal to the good was a mystery to everyone at Home Park. Derek Adams’ side pressed the Addicks high up the pitch, and they could not get their patient, possession game going.
Argyle were sharper all over the pitch, but the balance of the game swung in two minutes towards the end of the first-half.
After 39 minutes, Bielik’s clumsy tackle on Freddie Ladapo saw Charles Breakspear point to the spot.
Plymouth’s star man – Graham Carey – took the penalty, but his effort was brilliantly stopped by Dillon Phillips, who dived to his left at full stretch to tip the ball away.
Two minutes later, the Addicks launched a rare breakaway. Solly galloped down the right, and put over a pin point cross for Lyle Taylor to head home.
Cue delirium in the away end.
So almost unbelievably. Bowyer’s side went into the break in the lead.
But this was a classic example of a game of two halves. Charlton came out invigorated afrer the interval, and within two minutes, they had doubled their lead.
Great work by Jonnie Williams led to the Welshman drilling over a dangerous low cross from the left.
Igor Vetokele accepted the invitation, and bundled the ball home from close range.
The Addicks went on to dominate the second period, and managed the game superbly. Argyle rarely threatened in the second period.
The win continued the team’s current impressive form. Bowyer will be hoping his team keep the run going until the end of the season.
Here are his post match thoughts:
“I’m loving my time here and the fans were unreal again today.
“To be fair to Plymouth, one of their members of staff came up to me and said ‘I have to tell you that your fans were outstanding from start to finish today,’ and that’s great to hear.
“He said they were so respectful and they get behind the team and you can see the reaction that the players get from the fans. Like I’ve said before, it wasn’t like that last season, so it’s really good to hear.”
Bielik was one of five Addicks to pick up a first-half booking, and the Arsenal loanee was withdrawn just after the hour mark. Bowyer explained why:
“His ankle is the problem, we’ll have to patch him up and see how he goes. We didn’t want to take too many risks with him.
“It was obviously a precaution that we took him off, so we’ll have to see how he goes, but we’ll have to be careful with him. He knows how important he is to us, sitting in front of the back four.”
Charlton: Phillips; Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington; Bielik (Pratley 62), Cullen, Aribo, Williams; (Parker 80), Vetokele (Lapslie 74), Taylor.
Subs (not used): Maxwell, Pearce, Dijksteel, Reeves.
Goals: Taylor 41, Vetokele 47.
Booked: Sarr 14 (foul), Bauer 18 (foul), Vetokele 32 (foul), Bielik 42 (foul), Purrington 52 (foul).
Plymouth: Macey, Threlkeld, Edwards, Canavan (Jones 70), Sawyer; Ness (Fletcher 84), Fox, Sarcevic (Taylor 71), Lameiras, Carey; Ladapo.
Subs (not used): Letheren, Songo’o, Anderson, Smith-Brown.
Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).
Attn: 10,9696 (817 Charlton).
