Tyreece Campbell guides Charlton to a 2-1 win against Derby

Championship

Charlton Athletic 2 (0) Jones 60, Campbell 80

Derby County 1 (1) Szmodics 23

Charlton Athletic came from behind to beat Derby Country 2-1 at The Valley. Big man for The Addicks was Tyreece Campbell, who scored the winning goal ten minutes before the end.

The 22-year old winger had nearly left for Preston North End this summer, but last week he decided to stay put in London. In the opening game of the season Campbell proved his importance for Nathan Jones’ side.

The Jamaican international was a handful for the visitors from the East-Midlands. In the 80th minute he crowned his valiant performance with the winner. Substitute Joe Rankin-Costello played a lovely through ball to send Miles Leaburn towards the Derby goal, The big number 11 took his time and gave Campbell the chance to score from a tight angle.

Twenty minutes earlier Campbell was also involved in the equalizer. On the left he toyed with his marker Sondre Langås. The Norwegian could only stop him with a foul, for which he was rightly booked. Karlan Grant's treacherous cross from the edge of the box was headed home by the outstanding skipper Lloyd Jones.

It was Campbell as well who, in the 14th minute, provided Sonny Carey with the first chance of this curtain-raiser, but the forward miskicked the ball completely.

Slowly Derby County took the initiative which led to a fine goal ten minutes, just before the controversial hydration break. Sammie Szmodics combined nicely with striker Carlton Morris who thought about going on his own, but changed his mind while the Charlton-defence was all over the place.

His return pass to Szmodics was smart and the Irish international left Charlton-goalie Will Mannion with no chance. Charlton fought back, and Jones switched Campbell from right to left, a good move. Shortly before the break Campbell set up Carey who went to the ground in the box but referee Benjamin Speedy was not interested. VAR might have given it, Jones judged after the game.

In the second half Charlton went after Derby, who had won 1-2 in The Valley at the start of this year. Jones’ decision to bring on Leaburn and Rankin-Costello worked out pretty well.

After the equalizer The Rams became more lively again, The best chance for the visitors was a volley by Oscar Fraulo, saved perfectly by Mannion. More danger in front of the Charlton-goal ensued after Campbell’s 2-1, but the Addicks, despite eight minutes extra time, managed to hold on to the three precious and hard-fought points. The Addicks have now won their opening league match in each of the last four seasons.

Charlton (4-2-3-1): Mannion; McNamara (Mesik 82), Jones, Bell; Koumetio; Coventry; Chabolah (Sichenje 82); Godden (Leaburn 58), Campbell, Grant (Rankin-Costello 73); Carey (Alli 58)

Derby County (5-3-2): Zetterström; Forsyth (Brewster 82), Sanderson, Langas, Clark, Taylor; Ward (Johnston 82), Travis (Salvensen 82), Sanderson, Fraulo (Blackett-Taylor 82); Szmodic (Mowatt 53), Morris

Attendance: 21 539 (3057 away)