Argubly the biggest game of Chris Powell’s managerial career ended with a win for Charlton against Huddersfield Town.

The game was thrilling to watch and highlighted why the Addicks are doing so well. The defensive unit is the best it has been since the Premiership days, the team are superbly fit and even in games as intense as this, they keep going to the end without losing concentration. Here is what a beaming Powell had to say:

“It was a good advert for League One tonight with two teams battling for the three points.

“I felt they settled into the game quicker than us tonight but as the game went on we grew in confidence.

“It was a big occasion. I was trying to play it down with the squad but it was a big game for a lot of them and they are the sort of games we want here on a regular basis.

“It was a good advert the division and I’m pleased we were the ones who came out with the three points.

“It was a big game, but it’s another game for us; game 19 of 46.

“We have plenty of games to go. We have to go up there and have still got to go up to Sheffield Wednesday and play Sheffield United at home. There are plenty more games over the course of the season.

“For us to be the ones that stopped their record is pleasing for us as a club.

“I think everyone will remember us now as we are the ones that stopped Huddersfield,” said Chris.

The second goal was always going to be crucial, perhaps a psychological blow too far for either side if they found themselves two goals behind. Huddersfield never gave up but so resolute were Charlton’s defence, the Terriers were unable to claw their way back into the match. Powell continued:

“I felt we grew in confidence during the game and got the first goal after a terrific ball in and a great header from Yann who nearly won everything this evening, maybe too much at times.

“I was pleased that we got that goal and it just made us settle a bit more into the game.

“I felt we handled defensively what they threw at us. Big Jon Parkin is quite hard to get around at times but we defended the first and the second ball and we made some good decisions defensively.

“Ben Hamer came and claimed a lot of crosses in the second half. A couple of things went for us and he made a good save onto the post.

“They hit the bar with a cross-cum-shot but Yann hit the post in the second half as well.

“It was good game all round and both teams played their part. I’m pleased with the two goals that we scored,” said the manager before giving his thoughts on his two central defenders, “They have been excellent since they walked through the door.

“I don’t have to say much to those two. Michael Morrison I know well and played alongside, but he leads by example and Matt Taylor does as well. That’s why he was captain.

“They put their head on everything that came into the box, they challenged for stuff, they made sure the full-backs were alongside them, and they learn from games like this.

“Matt Taylor has been a skipper at Exeter and I felt he just led by example again. He’s been doing that all year even without the armband.

“The two of them were exceptional again, they have been the cornerstone of a lot of what we have done this year.

“Everyone played their part in getting a clean sheet but they were definitely stalwarts for us this evening, without a doubt,” was how Powell assessed their performance.

The win was Charlton’s sixth consecutive league victory following the reversal at Stevenage but the manager – though pleased – is keeping his feet firmly on the ground:

“It’s pleasing of course, I never envisaged that we would have that start we have had but I’ve got full confidence and trust in my players and we go out to get three points every game; in the majority of them they have done that.

“They have earned the right to do that. They have worked terribly hard, they want to improve and they want to do well.

“We are not thinking about records, we are thinking about getting points and doing our utmost to have a good season.

“We are not even halfway through, but we can be very proud of what we have done so far although we haven’t done anything yet.

“That’s what I keep drumming into them; where we are now is pleasing with 46 points from 19. It’s great but we have got to keep that going.

“We haven’t done anything yet and there is a lot of football to be played yet, but I think everyone connected with Charlton is very proud of their team at this moment and we need to keep that going,” concluded Chris.

The season may be some way short of its halfway point fixture wise, but it would unusual if the Addicks needed more than double their current points tally to ensure promotion.

Early days for sure, but heady ones nevertheless.