Sheffield Wednesday 0 v Charlton Athletic 1

Our boys stormed the Hillsborough Citadel this afternoon and return home with three vital promotion points becoming the first visiting side to win oop there this season (Massive result). It really was "over the top" stuff as we fought fire with fire and matched everything Wednesday could throw at us. That included the roaring home support (26,700 gate) appealing for every decision and the Wednesday players who crowded the referee in the second-half.


It was nerve-jangling stuff listening to the commentary but at least we had that. Many of the later Charlton train travellers didn't even get that as  their journeys were halted by a signal failure at Leicester.


It was a bright opening for Charlton with Green and Kermorgant looking lively. Wright-Phillips was foiled by Weaver and Hamer saved from Jones before Charlton were awarded a free-kick on 28 minutes. Up stepped Johnnie Jackson and he got the ball up and over the wall and beat Weaver all ends up. Madine was lucky to remain on the pitch moments later when he was shown a yellow card for an elbow and Mike Jones was also booked shortly after as Wednesday became frustrated. Kermorgant was also booked to balance things up for kicking a ball away before the break. Gary Madine beat Hamer before the whistle but then linesman had already flagged as our back four stepped up.


After the break the volume was raised and you could sense the pressure but there was no panic in our ranks. Wiggins fed Hollands who put Wright-Phillips through but Weaver made a superb save to keep his side in the match. Before the 70th minute mark Wednesday began to make changes in a sign of desperation and Miguel Llera was thrown in against his old side. 


Hamer and the back four were holding the line and we continued to look to attack when we could. Pritchard sounded tireless and he was pulled back as last man but the referee only awarded another yellow. Leon Clarke came on and was followed ten minutes later by Russell for Green as we freshened the legs and packed the centre. Wednesday went 4-3-3 but seemed to drop possession in the process. Clinton Morrison also came on for the four minutes of added time at the end when a huge roar signalled a Wednesday equaliser but Rhoys Wiggins was on the line and saved us to the obvious fury of the home fans around the gantry. Charlton almost iced the cake at the death but our overlap was wasted by Daryl Russell.


Powell and Megson were exchanging pleasantries on the touchline throughout the second-half but it was Chris Powell who laughed last and loudest as we claimed the victory and our fans boomed out "we're top of the league!"


Huddersfield and Sheffield United both won with second-half goals but that won't matter as long as we continue to beat them all when they come up against us. We are now the only side in the division unbeaten at home and we defend that proud record against Wednesday's neighbours next Saturday. An opportunity to go seven points clear of United with a game in hand. If we beat Bury on Tuesday 31st January (our game in hand) we could be ten points clear of Huddersfield!


I should add that Millwall remain four places above us after going down to nine men and conceding six at home to Birmingham. All rather uglier than usual at the Toolbox I gather as the Spanners lost it (again).