Charlton Athletic 1 Liverpool 0

by Tony Banks for "The Sunday Express"


The lights went out on Liverpool at the Valley in spectacular fashion as Keith Jones gave Charlton's
survival hopes a massive boost. 

The Valley floodlights may have been allegedly tampered with during the week, but they stayed on
yesterday to illuminate a Charlton performance full of fire and battling commitment which gives Alan
Curbishley's men renewed hope of staying up. 

The electrical shenanigans has all been linked allegedly to Far Eastern betting syndicates trying to rig the
results of matches - but no one could have forecast this result. 

To make matters worse for Liverpool, they had defender Jamie Carragher sent off for elbowing Charlton's
dynamic Swede Martin Pringle in the face - and saw old boy John Barnes come on to orchestrate the
South London club's defiance. 

It was another result which shows how far Gerard Houllier's men have got to go to break into the title
challenging quartet of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa. 

Liverpool were listless, unimaginative, disorganized and sloppy. And those were the good points. 

Barnes, signed as a free agent by Curbishley until the end of the season, made his first appearance in the
66th minute - and to use an electrical term - sparked this game into life. 

Two minutes later Carragher stupidly elbowed Pringle in the face as the pair challenged for the ball - and
referee Mike Reed showed him the red card. 

Liverpool protested furiously, but it was a fair decision and just punishment for a reckless act. 

It cost Carragher's team dear. From the free kick Steve Brown bombed the ball forward, and John
Robinson glanced it into the area. 

Both Steve Staunton and Stig Inge Bjornebye had chances to clear but didn't - and Jones galloped in to
crash the ball into the roof of the net. 

It was the first goal Charlton had scored against Liverpool at home since 1960 - and it could not have been
more precious. 

Curbishley's team, from being right down in the depths of despair over Christmas, have now registered two
wins of the trot and suddenly there is a sparkle of self belief in their eyes. 

The neutral might in fact have wished that the lights HAD gone out on this cold corner of SE7 long before
the end, because this was not a good game. 

There are excuses for Charlton, because they are fighting for their lives, scrapping for every point in their
struggle to keep Premiership status, and pretty football and winning friends are not what they are about at
this stage of the season. 

There are no excuses for Houllier's men. This was a substandard performance, and it shows just how
much work the Frenchman has got to do to restore the club to it's former glory. 

A Steve McManaman shot that was turned round the post by Simon Royce was the only effort on goal
they managed in the first half. 

Robbie Fowler was twice off target with chances he should have buried, and Michael Owen was an
anonymous, forgotten figure. Jamie Redknapp was lucky to stay on the field after lashing out at Mark
Kinsella. 

Veteran Jones in fact had two early chances to embarrass Liverpool, but each time shot high over the bar.

Pringle, who has been a revelation since his signing from Benfica, was always a danger to a Liverpool
defence that never came to terms with his pace a running power. 

He put one header over, steered another straight at David James, and was only denied the goal he
deserved by a fine late save from the Liverpool goalkeeper. 

Liverpool have now lost three out of their last four games and Houllier has a major job on his hands. 

If you are a member of a Far Eastern betting syndicate, then I wouldn't put any money on the men from
Anfield figuring among the silverware at the end of the season. It might, though, be worth a bob or two
(though they seem to bet a bit more than that out in Malaysia these days) on Charlton successfully
fighting their way out of trouble. 

Their fixture list shows a crucial home clash against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest coming up, as
well as trips to Derby, Coventry and Leicester. It won't be easy - but they have now got United, Villa and
Liverpool out of the way, and is confidence rising? You bet. 

Charlton: (5-3-2): Royce 7; Mills 7, Brown 7, Tiler 6; Robinson 6, Jones 7,Kinsella 7, Redfearn 6(sub
Barnes 6),Powell 7; Hunt 7, Pringle 7(sub Bright 6).

Subs: Ilic, Newton, Bright, Barness, Barnes. 

Liverpool: (5-3-2): James 6; Carragher 6, Matteo 6, Staunton 6; Heggem 6(sub Gerrard 6), Ince 6,
Redknapp 5, McManaman 6, Bjornebye 5(sub Song 6); Fowler 6, Owen 5(Sun Riedle 6). 

Subs: Song, Riedle, Friedel, Thompson, Gerrard. 

Booked:Charlton: Mills. Liverpool: Ince, Staunton, Bjornebye. 

Sent Off: Carragher (Liverpool) 

Referee: Mike Reed (Birmingham).