Charlton 4-2 Reading

In his programme notes, Pardew promised "a cracking game", and he wasn't wrong. It was a match which had everything and, crucially, ended in a win for the men in red.

Matt Holland's opening goal was the result of a Marcus Hahnemann error but was deserved on the balance of play after a quick paced start. I had suspicions as to whether the first of Reading's penalties was one, but watching the replay at half time confirmed that Moutaouakil did indeed bundle over his man. Luckily, Doyle sent a horrible penalty crashing against the crossbar. Andy Gray made no such mistake at the other end when Luke Varney's was bundled over in the box and the referee, after consultation with his linesman, awarded the spot kick.

I said to Kelvin with a couple of minutes of the half left to go, the worst thing that could happen would be to concede a goal before half time. Which of course we duly did. Bobby Convey was given far, far too much time to cross in for Ibrahima Sonko to head in. To make matters worse, Reading were awarded another penalty shortly after the break. Stephen Hunt's initial effort was well saved by Weaver but owing to encroachment (although I haven't seen the replay yet and am not convinced) he got a second crack at it, with which he made no mistake.

There were shades of Watford at home last season as a 2-0 lead had disintegrated. But Charlton simply weren't going to let this one lie as they came back and made amends in stunning fashion. I didn't think Lloyd Sam had an amazing game (he checked his runs too much and got run off the ball too often), but there was nothing wrong with his cross for Varney's inch perfect header to restore the advantage. The victory was sealed again from the right with Moutaouakil's cross being smashed home courtesy of Bouazza's brilliant volley. After all this, there with still time for Sonko to get sent off, Andy Gray to crack one against the bar (although the more composed gentleman next to me told me it would have been offside anyway), and for Darren Ambrose to get a run out.

Charlton looked sharp, hungry and played some great football over the course of the game. Varney was given the man of the match award but for me two players really stood, both of them new boys: Bailey and Bouazza. Nicky Bailey looked solid throughout, tackled well and made some incisive passes. He could be just what we need in the middle of the park. Bouazza was quick, controlled the ball well, delivered some good crosses and capped off his afternoon with a fine goal. That is not to take away anything from the rest of the side who could easily have let the three points slip after losing their two goal lead.

It was interesting to read Pardew's comments at the end of the match. He was clearly very happy with what he saw but was also quick to remind us that we put in performances such as this last season (Stoke and Palace at home) only to throw away all the hard work the following week. Preston away next weekend is bound to be a tricky one but the starting eleven yesterday have made Pardew's team selection very easy. For now, we should give them some credit for turning in a marvellous performance and making one of the pre-season favourites look pretty ordinary.