Charlton Athletic 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 3
Albion are joint top of the Championship, level on points with Burnley and Middlesbrough and separated by just goal difference. They are three goals behind Burnley and two behind Boro.
Albion took the lead today early on at the Valley although the game was delayed by five or six minutes immediately after kick-off, with home fans throwing black and white beach balls on to the pitch in protest against the current owners.
It was Sam Baldock after a great Jiri Skalak free kick and good work work by Connor Goldson and Bruno Saltor who put Albion into the lead, directing a shot home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Marco Motta and Igor Vetokele had half chances for the home team before half time but Albion, although not having any more clear-cut chances, held firm.
There were more beach ball demonstrations at the start of the second half and, five minutes in, a cross eluded both Lewis Dunk and Connor Goldson. Johan Berg Gudmansson swept the ball past David Stockdale to level the match.
Almost immediately Albion broke forward and Beram Kayal played a ball wide to Jiri Skalak. The Czech international placed an exquisite shot into the top right hand corner to restore Albion’s lead – his second brilliant goal of the week.
Morgan Fox had a chance for the home team but shot wide. As did Gudmansson, who fired narrowly over from the edge of the area.
As the game drew to a close so Albion, especially Knockeart, grew stronger. He drew a great save from Nick Pope.
Deep into injury time Knockaert weaved his way into the Charlton penalty area and was bundled over.
Tomer Hemed converted the resulting penalty to bag his 17th of the season.
Albion’s next crucial match is the final home game of the season at the Amex against Derby on the May Day Bank Holiday (Monday 2 May).
