Charlton 1-0 Leeds: Whites suffer first away defeat of the season

By Jonny Chick / ImoLeeds

Leeds United were handed their first defeat away from home so far this season, losing 1-0 to Charlton Athletic away at the Valley.

A scrappy first half goal from Macauley Bonne was enough to seal the win for the home side, extending their unbeaten record against Leeds to six games.

Despite the dominant display from the Whites, they lacked the killer instinct and the ability to take chances came back to haunt them again.

Marcelo Bielsa made one change from the draw against Derby last Saturday at Elland Road. Helder Costa replaced an injured Pablo Hernandez while Adam Forshaw made his return from injury to sit on the bench.

Leeds made an instant impact in the game, as within the first 30 seconds Mateusz Klich set Patrick Bamford away down the left-hand side but his teasing cross was deflected away from goal by Naby Sarr. The following corner was curled into the near post by Kalvin Phillips and Ben White made good contact with the ball, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.

The Whites continued to press and create openings for themselves. Klich had a shot from range deflected over the bar for a corner and Bamford met an Alioksi deep cross at the back post but could only head the ball down into the side netting.

Bielsa's side threatened again from a corner as Phillips delivered another wicked ball that was this time met by Cooper and Phillips this time pulled off a better save to tip the ball away from goal.

Charlton received their first corner of the game in the 32nd minute and from it they opened the scoring. Lockyer’s initial stab at goal was kept out by Casilla and the ball ricocheted of Bonne and went into the back of the Leeds goal.

At half-time Bielsa made two changes, bringing on Nketiah and Forshaw for Alioski and Shackleton. Cooper, Phillips and White formed into a back three.

United were not letting the goal take the wind out of their sails and continued to press. Costa made good space for Dallas down the right who played a dangerous cross towards the feet of Nketiah, but a goalmouth clearance from Conor Gallagher stopped the ball reaching the England U21s striker.

Leeds were still in search of an equaliser and continued to calve out chances. White’s flicked header went just wide of the post from a Phillips delivery and Costa slipped while stretching for a Nketiah pull back and couldn’t tap into an empty net.

In the dying embers of the game, Leeds fashioned one more chance to try and salvage a point. Forshaw, in search of his first Leeds goal, had his effort saved from point blank range by Phillips after a melee in the penalty area.

It wasn't to be Leeds' day, with Charlton holding on to pick up a 1-0 victory. The result sees the Whites slip down to fourth in the table and two points behind league leaders West Bromwich Albion - who Leeds play at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

Match information

Charlton Athletic v Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

15:00 Saturday 28th September 2019

The Valley

Charlton Athletic (4-2-3-1): Phillips, Solly, Lockyer, Sarr, Purrington, Pratley, Cullen, Bonne (Field 82'), Williams (Aneke 56'), Gallagher (Pearce 86'), Leko. Unused subs: Amos, Oztumer, Forster-Caskey, Oshilaja.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla, Dallas, White, Cooper, Alioski (Nketiah 46'), Phillips, Costa, Klich, Shackleton (Forshaw 46'), Harrison, Bamford (Roberts 69'). Unused subs: Miazek, Berardi, Douglas, Clarke.