Fulham pile on misery for Addicks
Claus Jensen seals the points for Fulham
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Monday, 16, Oct 2006 10:08
Rock-bottom Charlton suffered their fifth straight Premiership defeat after a 2-1 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Two goals in two second-half minutes from Brian McBride and former Addicks midfielder Claus Jensen has increased the pressure on manager Iain Dowie.
Darren Bent netted a late goal to the delight of the 3,000 away supporters but Chris Coleman's side held on for their first win in four league matches.
The first-half was devoid of quality with both sides failing to create many clear-cut chances.
Heidar Helguson powered his header over the bar on 12 minutes in the hosts' first opportunity.
Fulham continued to dominate and McBride came close to breaking the deadlock three minutes later with a right-foot volley that went wide following an outswinging corner from the recalled Wayne Routledge.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink forced goalkeeper Anti Niemi into a smart save on 28 minutes with a trademark piledriver from 18 yards.
Charlton came close to opening the scoring with two chances in the final stages of the half.
First, the impressive Dennis Rommedahl latched onto Bent's sublime pass and drove a near-post shot three yards wide of Antti Niemi's goal.
Nine minutes later, Andy Reid went close with a left-foot effort from distance after Rommedahl side-stepped the challenge of Franck Queudrue.
Reid should have opened the scoring five minutes into an improved second-half but guided his header wide from six yards.
Fulham dominated the second period and their possession was rewarded on 64 minutes when Charlton failed to clear a free-kick and McBride hammered a low drive past Scott Carson from 20 yards.
The Cottagers looked to have wrapped up the game when the injury-plagued Jensen was put through on goal by Leroy Rosenior and clinically doubled the hosts' lead.
Charlton boss Dowie hauled off Hasselbaink and Bryan Hughes and put on Jerome Thomas and Marcus Bent in search of a point.
Thirteen minutes from time Bent tucked in the ball from close range from Thomas' pass to set-up a grandstand finish.
Hermann Hreidarsson missed a sitter in the closing stages for the Addicks after glancing a pinpoint cross from Reid wide from close range.
Fulham are away at unbeaten Aston Villa next Saturday while Charlton look to end their miserable run against fellow strugglers Watford.