Hull City 1 (Gedo 33) Charlton 0.
Kevin Nolan reports from the KC Stadium.
It’s become commonplace for losing managers to pluck something positive from the debris. Following this routine loss to promotion hopefuls Hull City, Chris Powell did his best to honour that tradition with the observation that his side had “gradually got into it and soldiered on. I asked for a response at half-time and I got that.” As a succinct example of damning with faint praise, this one could serve as a template.
In his more private reflections, Powell might concede that Charlton submitted all too tamely to a side that, despite the contrast in their current ambitions, were only marginally better than his own. A single, disastrous first half goal, entirely avoidable but just as predictable, was enough to settle the issue and the impression was left of a manager who had already moved on – to another daunting assignment at Leicester City on Tuesday evening.
The arrival of Gedo’s 33rd minute goal had been mildly threatened since the kick-off, with the visitors accepting their billing as underdogs and retreating passively into their own half. As early as the 8th minute, the alert intervention of Dale Stephens was required to clear David Meyler’s header off the line. City proceeded to dominate possession, meanwhile, without showing any of the attacking chops expected of Premier League hopefuls, until their visitors gave them a helping hand.
A determined tackle by Johnnie Jackson on Paul McShane conceded a right wing corner which Robbie Brady’s left foot swung toward the penalty spot. Taking charge of the situation, Ben Hamer left his line, was caught in two minds whether to punch or catch but did neither. Instead he missed the ball entirely, allowing it to drop to Gedo, lurking near the far post. Reacting swiftly in the ensuing scramble, the Egyptian forward prodded what proved to be the winning goal over the line, despite Lawrie Wilson’s game effort to keep it out. Charlton’s lamentable failure to achieve a clean sheet, which now stretches back to the Millwall game at the Den on December 1st, was duly extended.
Little was being seen of the Addicks up front but the defensive bravery of Leon Cort kept them in the hunt, such as it was, before the interval. Throwing himself in front of Meyler’s ferocious, goalbound drive, the big centre back took one for the team in heading clear.
As Powell correctly claimed, Charlton improved after the break and occasionally suggested they might equalise. Their best chance fell to busy Bradley Pritchard, who briefly found himself in penalty area space as Chris Solly’s determined run was carried on by Yann Kermorgant. Quickly closed down, Pritchard managed an improvised toepoke, which, tricked narrowly wide of the left post. His various talents, regrettably so far, do not include scoring; the opportunity had fallen to the wrong player.
More likely to manage the feat was 68th minute substitute Danny Haynes, whose pace troubled the Tigers. His crisp volley disappeared into David Stockdale’s midriff; a foot or two either side might have left the keeper helpless but, then again, if ifs and ands were pots and pans etc. One last chance came Haynes’ way in the late going, following good work by Kermorgant and Pritchard. His hopeful lob was parried to safety by Stockdale and all that remained was the lesson, delivered by the cool Humbersiders to their bewildered victims, in running down four added minutes. The Addicks hardly saw the ball until Hamer’s brilliant save denied substitute Tom Cairney’s last kick effort to double City’s lead. Had Charlton shown similar resourcefulness against Birmingham recently, they would be two points nearer their safety target. But there we go with those pots and pans again…
We’ll close with a polite memo to management. Surely there is room, chaps, in this side for the brilliant Rhoys Wiggins. Over to you.
Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.
Birmingham: Stockdale, Chester, Hobbs, McShane ( Fathi 58), Elmohamady, Meyler, Bruce, Quinn, Brady, Simpson (Koren 71), Gedo (Cairney 90). Not used: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Evans, Prowschwitz.
Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Evina (Dervite 90), Wilson (Wright-Phillips 80), Stephens, Pritchard, Jackson, Kermorgant, Fuller (Haynes 68). Not used: Button, Taylor, Wagstaff, Wiggins.
Referee: Scott Mathieson.
Att: 16,849.