There was an explosive end to the game at Roots Hall on Saturday. Krystian Bielik snatched a late winner, but there was even more drama in stoppage time.
Tempers boiled over as Charlton tried to see the game out and three players ended up with red cards.
Lee Bowyer made three changes to the team that were held by Fleetwood last week; Jason Pearce, new signing Josh Cullen and Nicky Ajose came in, with Naby Sarr, the injured Joe Aribo and Mark Marshall being the players to drop out.
Bowyer adopted a diamond formation for the game, with Bielik at the base and Ajose at the tip. Cullen and Darren Pratley were the central duo.
Tariqe Fosu returned to the bench, and came on in the second half after Patrick Bauer picked up a knock.
The Addicks dominated the first half without really creating too many clear cut chances. Pratley was booked at the end of the half for a poor challenge on Michael Kightly, and was perhaps lucky not to have been shown a red.
Chris Powell switched shape at half-time to match up with Charlton, and Southend came more into the match.
But it was the Addicks who took the lead just before the hour mark. Karlan Grant robbed Michael Turner on the byline and pulled the ball back for Kyle Taylor to prod home from close range.
The goal sent the large and vocal travelling support behind the goal into delirium.
But their joy was short lived. Theo Robinson levelled things up for the Shrimpers just two minutes later with an almost identical goal.
Grant had the ball in the net 17 minutes from time, but was flagged for offside, before the game drew to its dramatic conclusion.
Charlton had a corner three minutes from time, and Pearce’s fierce shot was deflected over for another flag kick.
Cullen’s delivery from the right picked out Bielik. The Arsenal loanee’s thunderous header gave Mark Oxley no chance.
The Addicks were seeing the game out when there was late drama by the corner flag.
Kightly kicked out at Fosu. Fosu reacted angrily and head butted Kightly. A brawl ensued, and Oxley ran from his goal and swung punches at George Lapslie.
Kightly, Fosu and Oxley all received red cards, and Lapslie was shown a yellow.
It was quite literally a hard fought win, and Bowyer would have been pleased with his team’s persitence and resilience.
Debutant Cullen had a fine game in midfield, and his set piece deliveries were excellent.
Charlton: Phillips; Solly, Bauer (Fosu, 56), Pearce, Page; Bielik, Pratley (Lapslie, 72), Cullen, Ajose; Grant (Vetokele, 85), Taylor
Subs (not used): Steer, Dijksteel, Sarr, Hackett-Fairchild
Goals: Taylor 57, Bielik 87.
Booked: Pearce 25 (foul), Pratley 45 (foul), Fosu 80 (diving), Lapslie 90 (pushing and shoving).
Sent Off: Fosu 90 (violent conduct).
Southend: Oxley; Bwomono, Turner, White, Coker; McLaughlin (Bunn 68), Mantom, Demetriou, Kightly; Robinson (Cox 75), Hopper (McClousky 75).
Subs (not used): Bishop, Klass, Kyprianou, Hendrie
Goal: Robinson 60.
Booked: Demetriou 63 (persistent fouling), White 90 (foul).
Sent Off: Kightly 90 (violent conduct), Oxley 90 (violent conduct).
Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon).
Attendance: 7,923 (1,537 Charlton).