Charlton manager Phil Parkinson was shrouded in a wave of congratulatory hugs as his side finally managed to break the shackles and end the worst league run in the club’s history. The fans that came to watch the match also went back satisfied; especially since the team’s performance had taken such a plunge that they in all likelihood may have forgotten the last time the team won. After all, the Charlton Athletic had been in the lurch for a total of 19 matches, making even the most ardent of supporters to go cynical about the team’s prospects.

But with this latest victory under their belt, they appear more optimistic than they ever had been. Team coach Parkinson said that he had urged the players to give their best and try to save the team from being relegated. This victory is a step in the right direction, and the players, who had been under tremendous pressure all this while, are also enjoying their moment under the sun. Perhaps they can finally cast off the burden of being called one of the worst Charlton teams ever that people choose when playing FIFA 09 if they want a real challenge. Despite the optimism, there are still difficult troughs that lay ahead of Charlton, as they are likely to miss the services of Jonathan Fortune. Palace manager Neil Warnock however had harsh words for Charlton whom he described as a team of high earning bullies, and castigated the fact that a team as talented as them is staring relegation. He also said that, Charlton shouldn’t get so excited at the win, as they cannot expect to play every week

The match in itself was no extraordinary, and was patch at times. Then, it also had its moments with both the teams going all out to secure a win. Palace did well to match their fancied opponents shot for shot and man to man, but the goal that they conceded in the 14th minute had the final say.