Charlton score late to win on Championship return

Harvey Knibbs scored 11 minutes into his Charlton Athletic debut

Harvey Knibbs' stoppage-time goal gave Charlton a deserved 1-0 win over Watford as the Addicks marked their return to the Championship with a victory.

The signing from Reading last week fired in from close range after a corner was headed into his path to send The Valley into raptures as Watford, under new boss Paulo Pezzolano, struggled to create many clear-cut chances.

Charlton - playing for the first time in the Championship in more than five years - started well and Egil Selvik had to be alert to palm away a third-minute Lloyd Jones effort from eight yards.

Both sides settled into the game and it took more than 20 minutes for another goal attempt as Rob Apter - who had set up Jones' effort - fired a low left-footed shot just past the far post from the edge of the box.

Jones again had a chance to put the hosts in front as his 40th-minute header from Apter's floated free-kick was again well saved by Selvik.

Watford improved after the break as Mamadou Doumbia's early cross flashed across the six-yard box, but the Hornets were lucky to not concede a penalty 10 minutes later when Jeremy Ngakia appeared to commit a foul in his own box.

Charlton continued to create chances as Charlie Kelman had a close-range effort saved while Apter set Sonny Carey off down the right flank but his near-post effort was stopped by Selvik.

Watford's best effort came midway through the half when Hector Kyprianou headed over an Ngakia cross as the Hornets struggled to find a cutting edge up front having started with Danish summer signing Luca Kjerrumgaard.

The impressive Apter curled a left-footed effort wide in the final few minutes before Watford had a penalty claim turned down in stoppage time when substitute Nestory Irankunda felt he was fouled by goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

But Charlton got the goal their play deserved late on: Conor Coventry's corner from the right was headed back to Knibbs by Jones and the former Reading man - who scored 16 goals last season - celebrated his debut as he side-footed home from six yards.

What were the main talking points?

Charlton extended their unbeaten home run to 17 games thanks to their late winner against Watford

Both sides will point to penalty appeals which could, on another day have been given.

Charlton were aggrieved 10 minutes into the second half when Josh Edwards appeared to be bundled over in the box by Ngakia as the pair challenged for a loose ball.

But Watford - who failed to have a shot of note on target all game - will feel equally unhappy that they did not get a spot-kick in the first minute of stoppage time.

Substitute Irankunda broke down the right and Kaminski - making his debut after a summer move from Luton Town - dithered before opting to race out to challenge.

He appeared to take out the Australian but referee Stephen Martin allowed play to go on, only for Kjerrumgaard to be penalised for an infringement seconds later.

And within three minutes Knibbs had scored to seal all three points for Nathan Jones' side.

Who stood out?

Rob Apter had never played in the Championship before his Charlton debut

While Knibbs will make the headlines for his late winner, it was another debutant in Apter that shone for the hosts.

The summer signing from Blackpool was the man who put in the crosses for both of Lloyd Jones' excellent first-half chances.

He also came close with a number of his own efforts and was a constant thorn in the side of Watford down Charlton's right flank.

It was the 22-year-old's first game at Championship level but he did not look out of place - despite only having one full season in League One last term.

Apter has spent much of his career on loan with the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Scunthorpe United and Chester in League Two and both tiers of the National League.

'A wonderful way to win a game' - Nathan Jones

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones told BBC London:

"I thought we took about 10 minutes to settle, they played a bit of possession football and we didn't get the press right.

"But once we got to grips with the game I thought we were excellent, we went after it, we created chances.

"Their keeper's made some excellent saves and I thought we were excellent and thoroughly deserved it - more shots, more shots on target.

"Then to score in the manner that we did is a wonderful way to win a game."

Watford manager Paulo Pezzolano told BBC Three Counties:

"We wanted the three points. We wanted to win the match, but today it went their way with the set-piece in that last moment.

"The most important thing is that we have a young team that fought very well and it's going to grow.

"It is what it is and we're just looking forward to the next one."

What's next?

The Addicks stay in South London as they host League Two side Stevenage in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, followed by a trip to Bristol City in the league.

Watford are at Vicarage Road for their next two matches - they host Norwich City in the League Cup on Tuesday before entertaining Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in seven days' time.