LATE KNIBBS WINNER AS ADDICKS BEAT WATFORD.

Charlton 1 Watford 0

Harvey Knibbs scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time in front of the Covered End as the Addicks defeated Watford 1-0 at The Valley to mark their Championship return.

It was everything Nathan Jones’ team deserved in an exciting game in front of the largest crowd for a home opener at The Valley in 17 years.

Prior to kickoff, both sets of fans joined in a minute of applause in memory of Pierre Bolangi, Ethan Ade-Oduwale, and Jorge Costa. Nathan Jones gave five summer signings their debuts as the Addicks started in a 3-5-2 formation, the same shape the Charlton manager used last season.

The teams kicked off The Valley was filled with excitement and positive energy, and the home team carried that energy onto the pitch.

Lloyd Jones, who scored the Addicks’ first goal of the season last year, came close to doing it again within the first three minutes of the game. The centre-back outmuscled his opponent to win the ball and set up Rob Apter, who raced to the byline.

The former Blackpool player delivered a right-footed cross, but Lloyd Jones’ half-volley was well saved by Watford’s Egil Selvik. The dangerous Apter then curled a shot just wide following some nice interplay with fellow debutant Sonny Carey.

Five minutes before halftime, Lloyd Jones forced another excellent save from Selvik by leaping highest to get on the end of a whipped Apter free kick.

To keep the score level, the Watford custodian stretched fully to his right. Kwadwo Baah had the visitors’ best chance of the half, dragging wide from a tight angle shortly before the break.

After the Addicks dominated the first half, Watford came close to opening the scoring two minutes into the second. Mamadou Doumbia had time on the left and fizzed a ball across goal, evading the touch required by one of his teammates.

Charlton had a strong case for a penalty when Josh Edwards beat Jeremy Ngakia to the ball and appeared to fall under the Watford defender’s challenge.

Despite the home crowd’s loud protests, referee Stephen Martin remained unconvinced. The Addicks came close just before the hour mark, with Tyreece Campbell cutting inside and driving at goal, and Charlie Kelman’s clever flick from close range was well saved by Selvik.

With two minutes remaining, Apter cut in from the right and shot just wide of the Watford goal. Both teams made late penalty appeals, but Stephen Martin denied them again. Charlton scored the winner four minutes into stoppage time.

Lloyd Jones headed Conor Coventry’s deep right corner back across goal, and Knibbs was perfectly placed to finish on the volley from close range.

The Addicks return to The Valley on Tuesday to take on Stevenage in the Carabao Cup. Charlton: Kaminski; Ramsay, Jones, Bell; Apter, Carey (Olaofe 86); Coventry, Docherty (c), Edwards (Gillesphey 80); Kelman (Kelman 71); Campbell (Knibbs 80).

Subs: Mannion, A. Mitchell, Rankin-Costello, Anderson, Berry. Goal: Knibbs 90+4. Jones has 90+4 assists.

Booking: Docherty 48 (foul on Sissoko) Watford: Selvik, Ngakia, Keben, Kyprianou, Kjerrumgaard, Louza (Kayembe 72), Bola, Sissoko (captain) (Grieves 72), Doumbia (Ince 72), Abankwah (Alleyne 87), Baah. Subs (not used): Baxter, Semedo, Dele-Bashiru, and Andrews. Booked: Kyprianou 25 (foul on Campbell); Baah 52 (foul on Edwards).

Referee: Stephen Martin. Attendance was 21,778 (3,138 from Watford).