A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"O noble English, that could entertain"

Charlton Athletic (1) 2
Wilson 7
Pritchard 70

Brighton and Hove Albion (1) 2
Mackail-Smith 28
LuaLua 75

Attendance: 19,018

Gus names an attacking line up

Eat your heart out Louis Smith! When it comes to somersaults Kazenga LuaLua is your man. On 75 minutes Kazenga eyed up one of his explosive shots from a free kick 20 yards out. He struck the ball cleanly and powerfully. It took a deflection and flew into the bottom left hand corner of Ben Hamer's goal. Within seconds LuaLua was running towards the corner flag to celebrate in the way only he can for the first time this season.

Who says Bruno and El-Abd aren't brothers?

The 3,000 plus travelling support celebrated gleefully no doubt hoping that LuaLua has put behind him his problems this season and this was the beginning of a purple patch. There is little doubt that when he is on the pitch, fit and in form he poses big problems for opposing defences.

As for the game as a whole, after a shaky period early on and being slightly fortunate to be level at half time, the Seagulls dominated for long periods and created enough chances to have been well clear before Charlton took the lead for the second time during one of their rare second half raids on the Albion goal. 

In the cold light of day this game will go down, with several others this season, as a draw that should have been a victory with more clinical finishing. However, it would have been harsh to have come away with all three points on the day Charlton celebrated the 20th anniversary of their return to The Valley following exile at Crystal Palace.

Charlton took the lead in front of the travelling supporters on 9 minutes when, for the second game running, the Albion conceded from a corner. Charlton played a short corner routine and the ball was played in hard and low and somehow evaded everybody to end up in the corner of Kuszczak's net. The big Pole was not amused and showed his frustration. He was quite right as a ball played in like that should be cleared.

Early on the Albion were having great difficulty coping with the home side's power and pace. Rob Hulse is a man mountain and knows all about unsettling defences. Kuszczak acrobatically turned over a Hulse header and a comedy own goal was prevented when a sliced clearance flew towards the goal only to be deflected away by another defender. At times the Seagulls were their own worst enemies as they over-elaborated at the back and lost possession.

The Albion equalised in circumstances quite alien to their usual way of playing. A long clearance was misheaded by Michael Morrison straight up in the air. CMS was first to the bouncing ball and steered it calmly past Hamer. Sometimes route one works!

Before this Greer had missed a splendid opportunity when he blazed over when well placed 6 yards out.

LuaLua's bullit shot heads for the net

The second half was mostly one way traffic. Corners mounted up as did chances which went begging. Hamer palmed away a close range drive from Buckley and Dobbie miss hit 2 chances from the edge of the penalty area. Buckley in particular was finding space in the Charlton defence and from one of his crosses from the left Dobbie missed the best chance of all, deflecting the ball over the bar from about 8 yards out.  CMS looked to have scored his second as a powerful volley took a slight deflection and flew inches the wrong side of Hamer's post.

Somewhat against the run of play Charlton retook the lead when Pritchard turned in a cross which many felt should have been cut out. 

Gus rang the changes - LuaLua on for Hoskins whose pace had caused problems to the home defence and Barnes on for the flagging Dobbie who seemed strangely out of salts. Today he played just behind CMS but had difficulty with the speed of the game and getting on the same wavelength as his fellow players.

One of Albion's many 2nd half attacks

LuaLua's moment of magic ensured a draw in what was a very exciting game. The Albion played in a more direct style, particularly in the second half and were better for it. Everybody battled and apart from Dobbie the Albion players came back well from last week's mauling. 

Bridcutt was the visitor's man of the match but a honourable mention for Hammond who is settling into the team well and fullfilling his role in "Gus Play".

At the end I was left with the feeling that the Albion are just one clinical finisher away from being side to be reckoned with in a very competitive league.

My Personal Alternative Man of the Match: Dean Hammond He is now beginning to settle down in his new surroundings allbeit for the second time. He has picked up how to play his role in Gus's 4-3-3 team pattern geared to getting and maintaining control of game. He was always available to receive a pass in midfield and covered acres of space. Is developing a very effective holding midfield partnership with Bridcutt.