Charlton opened their league campaign at The Valley with an entertaining win over Wigan, one of the favourites for promotion.

Despite the midweek win over Colchester, Bob Peeters kept faith with the team which drew at Brentford last week.

Simon Church’s  goal on Tuesday earned him a place on the bench at the expense of Joe Pigott.

Jordan Cousins’ eighth minute opener will be an early contender for goal of the season.

Taking a cross field ball from Johann Gudmundsson, Cousins cut inside and unleashed a 20-yard curler that went into the top left hand corner of Scott Carson’s goal.

The Addicks played a neat, easy-on-the-eye passing game and impressed the home crowd.

Wigan levelled midway through the opening period when a diagonal ball from the left put Callum McManaman one-on-one with Rhoys Wiggins. The Latics wide man sent Wiggins the wrong before beating Stephen Henderson from an acute angle.

Wiggins and Igor Vetokele had chances to score as the half drew to a close.

Midway through the second half, Stephen Henderson had to go off with what looked like a hamstring injury, as the Addicks began to lose their direction.

But it proved to be the lull before the storm. Right at the end, the hosts spurned good chances presented to Gudmundsson, Franck Moussa and Vetokele.

Vetokele was clean through with just Carson to beat but fluffed his lines.

Deep into injury time though, Charlton got their just desserts, albeit in fortuitous circumstances.

Moussa’s shot was blocked but looped up and cruelly over Carson to nestle in the net.

Three sides of The Valley exploded in a joint display of unbridled joy.

Just three days until Peeters’ team have to do it all again when Derby come to South London. The Valley faithful will be hoping for more of the same.

Charlton: Henderson (Pope 67); Solly,  Ben Haim, Bikey-Amougou, Wiggins; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson (Wilson 75), Cousins; Tucudean (Moussa 61), Vetokele.

Subs (not used): Morrison, Harriott, Church, Fox.

Goals: Cousins 8, Moussa 90.

Wigan Athletic:  Carson; Perch,  Kiernan, Ramis, Taylor; Huws, McArthur, Cowie (Espinoza 78);  McManaman, Riera (Maloney 46), Fortune (Waghorn 69).

Subs (not used): Al Habsi, Tavernier, Caldwell, Barnett.

Booked: Taylor 25 (foul).

Goal: McManaman 22.

Referee: Andy D’Urso (Billericay).

Attn: 15,334 (447 from Wigan).