LENNY OLD FIRM CALL
Bonne Weimann Doughty Eliasson
ALFIE DOUGHTY was Charlton’s hero with the late winner as Lee Bowyer’s walking wounded ended two months of misery.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who has been on loan this season at National League Bromley, popped up with his first Addicks goal to break his side’s 11-game winless run.
Charlton’s rare success was spoiled slightly by another injury, this time to Conor Gallagher – leaving them with 13 men in the treatment room.
The Addicks were 2-1 down as Andi Weimann and Niclas Eliasson cancelled Macauley Bonne’s opener before a comeback condemned Bristol City to a fourth straight defeat.
On Doughty, boss Bowyer (below) admitted: “I don’t really know him. But he’s a young lad who is learning. I’ve had a go at him a few times as he does things that drive me mad such as losing the ball and then beating himself up.
“Now he does the right thing and doesn’t just sulk. I’m pleased for him as sometimes he switches off.”
Charlton deservedly took a 40thminute lead when Bonne lobbed over keeper Dan Bentley after racing on to Albie Morgan’s long ball.
City were woeful early on, but much better after the break. And they needed just 42 seconds to level with half-time substitute Eliasson making the difference.
Eliasson’s cross was headed in by Weimann as the visitors turned the screw.
And it looked like it would be another day of despair for Bowyer when Eliasson nutmegged keeper Dillon Phillips from Adam Nagy’s pass on the hour.
City should have wrapped things up as Josh Brownhill’s long ranger was pushed away by Phillips with Famara Diedhiou deflecting the rebound wide.
But Charlton won it thanks to a rousing finale. Bonne scored the equaliser, his 10th of the campaign, after his persistence allowed him to get the better of Tomas Kalas from Lyle Taylor’s 77th-minute flick on.
And more good running from Bonne led to the winner five minutes later as he stormed down the right and crossed for Doughty to score at the second attempt after the youngster’s initial shot was saved. CHARLTON:
BRISTOL CITY:
MOTM
MACAULEY BONNE (CHARLTON)
Ref: Keith Stroud Att: 18,058
CELTIC head into Sunday’s Old Firm derby five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a 2-1 win over ST MIRREN.
But Neil Lennon urged his players to be more ruthless despite Callum McGregor and James Forrest (above) sealing an 11th consecutive league win.
Celtic boss Lennon said: “It should have been more comprehensive. We had chances to put the game beyond St Mirren.”
Rangers remain five points behind after sub Alfredo Morelos returned from suspension to end Kilmarnock’s resistance with a 65th-minute winner.
Gets boss Steven Gerrard said: “Killie set us a challenge and they made it very difficult for us.
“But we found a way, which is very pleasing.”