Charlton stay on track for Europe

Charlton 2 Tottenham 0

The 21-year-old former Arsenal trainee drilled the ball in from 25 yards after cutting inside from the left after four minutes, with Murphy smashing home a free-kick late on.

Fredi Kanoute had the best of Spurs’ chances, missing a kick from close range and then seeing Dean Kiely make a fine reaction block.

Out of nothing Charlton took the lead with a superb strike from winger Thomas after just four minutes.

Murphy won the ball in the centre and pushed it along to Paul Konchesky, who in turn fed Thomas on the left. As Noe Pamarot backed off, the former Arsenal trainee touched the ball onto his right foot before promptly firing it into the top corner from 25 yards.

The Addicks were pressuring Tottenham well, and looked dangerous on the counter attack as the match entered its final 30 minutes.

Martin Jol had seen enough and introduced Jermain Defoe, for Reto Ziegler, and the former Charlton junior received a less than warm welcome from the supporters of the club he left as a teenager for West Ham in 1999.

There was some firm defending from the bolstered Charlton rearguard during the closing stages, but the result was put beyond doubt when Murphy drilled in a free-kick with five minutes to go to secure what could prove to be a crucial three points in their quest for European football.

CHARLTON: Kiely, Young, Perry, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Rommedahl (Johansson 53), Murphy, Holland, Konchesky, Thomas (Fish 76), Bartlett (Euell 71).

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Pamarot (Kelly 86), Gardner, King, Edman, Reid, Carrick (Davis 70), Brown, Ziegler (Defoe 60), Kanoute, Keane.

Referee: C Foy.