Sunderland’s long unbeaten run came to an end and put a huge dent in the club’s League One promotion aspirations.
Charlton took the lead half an hour in from a Josh Scowen own goal and made it 2-0 mid way through the second half with an Alex Gilbey strike. Sunderland pulled a goal back through Scowen but couldn’t get a second to level the scores.
Lee Johnson made three changes to the side that drew away to Peterborough as Aiden O’Brien, Lynden Gooch, and Josh Scowen replaced Ross Stewart, Jordan Jones, and Grant Leadbitter.
The lads almost took the lead five minutes in; Aiden McGeady chipped in a lovely ball into Charlie Wyke and volleyed an effort just wide of Ben Amos’ post.
Wyke had a second chance early on, he nicked the ball off Darren Pratley, and was through on goal, but his dink was brilliantly saved by Amos.
It had bad been an eventful start to the game, and Luke O’Nien flicked on a Jake Forster Caskey free-kick, and his header almost went in his own goal but crashed off the post.
The Charlton stopper was having a great game, McGeady whipped in another great ball, this time to O’Brien who was denied by a strong Amos hand from close range.
Sunderland may have had the best chances, but it was a very open game with Charlton having a lot of the play in Sunderland’s half.
Charlton had been a threat from set pieces and took the lead following a Ryan Inniss header that was parried by Lee Burge and sliced into his own net by Josh Scowen who couldn’t clear.
The lads almost responded instantly, McFadzean fired a low effort that was brilliantly saved by Amos who tipped it wide.
The half ended with the lads in need of a comeback to keep Sunderland’s promotion hopes in their hands.
There hadn’t been too many chances in the second half’s opening stages, but McGeady tried his luck from range which flew just over the bar.
The away side were inches away from getting a two-goal lead, Jayden Stockley from close range could only hit the post.
Charlton did get the second goal, as Alex Gibley managed to fire home past Burge and left Sunderland with a mountain to climb.
On the hour mark, Sunderland made four subs, Denver Hume, Stewart, Jones, and Conor McLaughlin came in to try and make the difference.
Gilbey almost put the result beyond doubt, but he was denied by a strong save from Burge to keep the score at 2-0.
With 15 minutes to play, Sunderland got a goal back; a ball was played over the top as Wyke and Stewart were both denied in quick succession from Amos, but Scowen with a diving header from outside the box scored in an open net.
With less than ten to play it was attack vs defence with the lads looking to get a crucial equalising goal.
Full Time: Sunderland 1-2 Charlton
ALS Man of the Match: Josh Scowen
Sunderland: Burge; Power, Sanderson, O'Nien, McFadzean (Stewart 62’); Scowen, Winchester (Jones 62’), Gooch (Hume 62’), O'Brien (McLaughlin 60’), McGeady; Wyke
Subs Not Used: Matthews, Diamond & Leadbitter
