Jak Netting

Derby began the game on the front foot and looked to apply early pressure to a Charlton side who are winless in their last 16 league games, but the Rams failed to make early possession count.

Paul Warne’s side stayed in control from this point onwards, but the visitors settled into the game as it began to be played more in the midfield, with attacks few and far between for both sides.

Korey Smith, who made his first start since November 2023, teed off a speculative long-range effort midway through the first half, though it whistled just wide of the far post, keeping the game goalless.

Just a few minutes later, Panutche Camara earned Nathan Jones’ side a corner after seeing a similar shot tipped wide of the far post, though Charlton were unable to threaten from the set-piece.

From here, Charlton began to enjoy several dangerous chances in and around the Derby penalty area, but the Rams’ defence held strong and kept them shut out even during periods of heavy pressure.

The breakthrough finally came in the 39^th minute as Eiran Cashin rose above the defenders at the near post to head home from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s corner, giving the Rams an important lead and the Irishman his third league goal of the season.

Charlton looked for an immediate response before the end of the first half, but their efforts were frustrated after being met by a steadfast Derby defence, ensuring that the Rams entered the break with a narrow but ultimately merited lead.

The second half got off to a bad start for Derby as they lost Ryan Nyambe through injury in the 49^th minute, with Tom Barkhuizen called upon to replace the Namibian international.

Chuks Aneke had Charlton’s best chance of the game so far as he saw an effort hit the post just minutes after coming on as a substitute, much to the frustration of the travelling fans.

Their disappointment was short-lived however as, in the 64^th minute, the Addicts were awarded a penalty after a careless challenge from Joe Wildsmith on Daniel Kanu on the edge of the penalty area.

Alfie May stepped up and converted with ease into the bottom corner, marking his 17^th league goal of the season, and maintaining his 100% penalty conversion rate this season – having now scored eight from eight.

The referee, Jeremy Simpson, did not seem eager to prevent any time-wasting antics, which did little to appease the sold-out Morley Hayes South Stand.

The Rams’ misery was taken to another level in the 80th minute, however, as Wildsmith saved Kanu’s effort from close range, only for Korey Anderson to get to the loose ball first and fire Charlton into the lead.

The remainder of the game saw Derby push desperately for a leveller, but their efforts proved futile as Charlton recorded their first victory at Pride Park since 1999, when the sides met in the Premier League!

At the time of writing, the result sees Derby drop out of the automatic promotion playoff places, with Bolton drawing 0-0 away to Wigan Athletic, though this could change with 20 minutes still to play in that game.

For Charlton, the result sees them steer three points clear of the relegation zone, and will be a massive boost as Jones records his first win as the Addicks’ boss.