Charlton Athletic 0 v Norwich City 1

Far too often this season when we've dropped points we have left the ground complaining that we wouldn't have minded if we'd actually played well or put in an appearance. Well today was one of those where we played as well as we could have expected only to be beaten by the only goal. Perhaps Norwich might have been a different proposition if they had to chase the game or if we had managed the equaliser our play deserved. As it was they stood up well and Fraser Forster saved everything we could throw at him. My overwhelming feeling at the end was one of confidence that we have at last shown the sort of team performance that can yet get us promoted, even it it is via the play-offs as is looking more likely, although with Leeds losing and Swindon only scraping a home draw, there's plenty of football yet to be played.
Phil Parkinson kept faith with the most recent side and I was pleased to see Darren Randolph rewarded with another start in goal. Sam Sodje overcame his swollen knee to partner Christian Dailly again and there was no change at full-back with Richardson and Borrowdale taking the field. It was the same midfield (Bailey, Semedo, Racon and Sam) with Forster and Sodje up front.
The game was played in bright sunshine throughout and there was a good atmosphere although it was apparent from the off that the Valley faithful hadn't quite returned in the numbers expected and it was no great surprise when we were told that the crowd was a disappointing 20,023, one less than the Gills game which remains our largest gate of the season.
Charlton imposed themselves on Norwich from the start and City looked content to defend and play on the break. Our midfield settled quickly and Jose Semedo, in particular, looked a yard sharper than everyone else and was pulling the strings. He was being well supported from the flanks and it was only a matter of time before the chances came. Unfortunately, Akpo Sodje couldn't get anywhere near the ball and conceded a succession of fouls as he tried to get involved, which only broke our momentum. Nicky Forster was leading the line and playing his part but needed a partner who was also competing.
It was no great surprise when our first couple of goal scoring chances fell to Nicky Bailey who twice cut in from the flank and into the box before firing rasping shots at goal. He tried to place the first inside the far post but Forster got a hand to deflect it wide and his second was blasted centrally and Forster managed somehow to paw it out.
Norwich then scored with their first penetrating attack but it was ruled out for offside. That might have disappointed the expectant visitors but it was a sign that they intended to take their chances when they came and ten minutes before the break they scored. Darren Randolph had dived to his left and parried a shot from Lappin but he could do nothing about Lappin's back-post ball from the resultant corner which Michael Nelson powered in amongst a host of players who jumped together.
Akpo Sodje made way for Deon Burton before the break and it looked purely tactical to me.
Charlton started the second-half as strongly as they had the first and Deon Burton was quick to contribute with a diving header from a Sam cross which Forster saved superbly from close range. Nicky Bailey saw a 25 yard free kick saved by Forster and Therry Racon was also frustrated as Charlton tried to play their way level. The noisy City following was subdued and Norwich lacked any ambition beyond hanging on to their lead. Nothing was falling for us and we were repeatedly frustrated as we strived to set-up the killer chance. Racon and Burton saw half-chances stopped by Forster before Kyel Reid came on for Semedo as Bailey went into the middle. Racon should have made way because his midfield contribution had been lacking from the off and Semedo had been our man-of-the-match by a country mile. 
Amazingly, with ten minutes to go, Nicky Bailey, our second-best player of the game was also substituted for Shelvey and I was surprised to see him go with good grace, just as Semedo had done. We were looking tired and it was not surprising that the chances began to dry up. We had a late free-kick from close in but it came to nothing and Norwich grew in confidence as the final whistle approached.
We left the Norwich fans to celebrate their promotion but should be satisfied with our performance and hopeful that it's not all over yet as far as the second place goes.