Charlton’s highest home crowd at The Valley in more than a decade was given a Boxing Day treat as the Addicks threw a spanner into the works of Chelsea’s title challenge.
Headers from Hermann Hreidarsson, Matt Holland, Jonatan Johansson and Jason Euell guided the home side to a thrilling and fully deserved 4-2 victory.
John Terry and Eidur Gudjohnsen scored for Chelsea as Claudio Ranieri’s side slumped to a second defeat in three Premiership matches.
Ranieri has reportedly insisted that only English be spoken in his dressing-room in an attempt to foster more unity among his huge squad.
But the Italian must have been left wondering whether his players have all been studying from the same phrase book after a display that proved his side have still much to learn in their quest to challenge Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the table.
Charlton got off to the best possible start when they took the lead inside a minute, via a swinging corner from the right from Paolo di Canio.
Terry failed to clear and Hreidarsson rose to head the ball powerfully past Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.
Chelsea were level eight minutes later when Terry made up for his earlier error by meeting Adrian Mutu’s free-kick on the left with a glancing header.
The goal brought a trademark grin to the face of Roman Abramovich in the stand, though his team even then were looking anything but the most expensively assembled side in the Premiership.
Charlton were more cohesive and had more attacking ideas. Their extra endeavour paid off in the 34th minute when Johansson once more surged up the left.
He promptly swung over a teasing left foot cross and this time it was skipper Matt Holland who arrived bang on cue to direct his header home.
Charlton’s dominance was complete when Johansson and Euell headed home in quick succession early in the second half.
There was no way back for Chelsea’s men although an Eidur Gudjohnsen strike 17 minutes from the end did give them reason to keep battling right to the final whistle. — Sapa-AFP