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Charlton 4-2 Chelsea
Dec 27: Charlton delivered a massive blow to Chelsea`s Premiership hopes with a stunning victory at The Valley. Claudio Ranieri`s expensively-assembled side were on the slide after Hermann Hreidarsson`s header inside 45 seconds.
Dec 27: Charlton delivered a massive blow to Chelsea's Premiership hopes with a stunning victory at The Valley. Claudio Ranieri's expensively-assembled side were on the slide after Hermann Hreidarsson's header inside 45 seconds.
John Terry equalised, but goals either side of half-time by Matt Holland and Jonatan Johansson proved decisive.
Jason Euell added Charlton's fourth, and Eidur Gudjohnsen's strike proved no consolation for miserable Chelsea.
Ranieri will have been furious at the way his much-vaunted defence collapsed in spectacular style in the face of an outstanding Charlton display.
Charlton got the perfect start after only 42 seconds as Chelsea set the tone for a show of alarming defensive vulnerability.
Paolo di Canio's corner found Hreidarsson unmarked to flick a header beyond Carlo Cudicini.
Chelsea's response came after nine minutes, when a delightful free-kick from Adrian Mutu was glanced past Dean Kiely by Terry.
Joe Cole wasted a great chance to put Chelsea ahead when he shot wildly over the top from 12 yards - but after that it was a very swift journey downhill for Ranieri's side.
Di Canio was involved again as Charlton restored their advantage in the 34th minute.
The Italian's dummy set up Johansson, and his cross was met powerfully by Holland, who rose above Marcel Desailly to head home.
Chelsea were stung again at the start of the second half, when more trickery from Di Canio deceived Terry, and he provided the perfect cross for Johansson to score easily from inside the six-yard box.
Ranieri's defence was in pieces, and it was no surprise when Euell added a fourth after 53 minutes.
Wayne Bridge's wild clearance allowed Euell to escape Terry's attention to slide a composed finish past Cudicini.
Chelsea were in disarray, but substitute Eidur Gudjohnson gave them slim hope when he pulled a goal back with 18 minutes.
It led to a belated revival from Chelsea in the closing stages, but the damage was already done, and Charlton's supporters revelled in the victory, with the veteran Di Canio being substituted late on to a standing ovation.
Bureau Report
Jason Euell added Charlton's fourth, and Eidur Gudjohnsen's strike proved no consolation for miserable Chelsea.
Ranieri will have been furious at the way his much-vaunted defence collapsed in spectacular style in the face of an outstanding Charlton display.
Charlton got the perfect start after only 42 seconds as Chelsea set the tone for a show of alarming defensive vulnerability.
Paolo di Canio's corner found Hreidarsson unmarked to flick a header beyond Carlo Cudicini.
Chelsea's response came after nine minutes, when a delightful free-kick from Adrian Mutu was glanced past Dean Kiely by Terry.
Joe Cole wasted a great chance to put Chelsea ahead when he shot wildly over the top from 12 yards - but after that it was a very swift journey downhill for Ranieri's side.
Di Canio was involved again as Charlton restored their advantage in the 34th minute.
The Italian's dummy set up Johansson, and his cross was met powerfully by Holland, who rose above Marcel Desailly to head home.
Chelsea were stung again at the start of the second half, when more trickery from Di Canio deceived Terry, and he provided the perfect cross for Johansson to score easily from inside the six-yard box.
Ranieri's defence was in pieces, and it was no surprise when Euell added a fourth after 53 minutes.
Wayne Bridge's wild clearance allowed Euell to escape Terry's attention to slide a composed finish past Cudicini.
Chelsea were in disarray, but substitute Eidur Gudjohnson gave them slim hope when he pulled a goal back with 18 minutes.
It led to a belated revival from Chelsea in the closing stages, but the damage was already done, and Charlton's supporters revelled in the victory, with the veteran Di Canio being substituted late on to a standing ovation.
Bureau Report