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CHARLTON boss Lee Bowyer hailed on-loan striker Andre Green for putting personal grief aside to keep Charlton above the relegation zone.
Green, brought in from Aston Villa last month, was devastated early in the week by the death of his grandfather.
After he insisted on playing, Green scored Charlton’s decisive second goal as they held on to squeeze past relegation rivals Barnsley at The Valley.
Bowyer said: “Andre had some bad news earlier in week and did well to even turn out today. He has only been here five minutes and he’s already scored two goals.”
Charlton took the lead when Jason Pearce nodded down Josh Cullen’s flighted free-kick and leading scorer Lyle Taylor poked the ball past Samuel Sahin-radlinger.
Green drove home to make it 2-0 after Pearce headed down another free-kick, this time from Alfie Doughty in firsthalf injury time.
Barnsley mounted a furious secondhalf assault with Cauley Woodrow striking the Charlton bar before he pulled one back following a driving Luke Thomas run.
Jacob Brown then smashed a shot against the Charlton bar before time ran out for the visitors.
Charlton’s mastery at free-kicks angered Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber who said: “In every other phase of our play and the way we create chances, we are ready for the Championship, but it is clear that from set plays we are not.”
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And Albion’s veteran hitman was mighty relieved to have continued in that vein yesterday – when VAR ruled the ball did NOT strike his arm when he slammed in a dramatic 79th-minute equaliser.
Referee Michael Oliver initially disallowed the effort – only for Stockley Park chum Andre Marriner to reverse the call.
And that was enough to give the visitors a share of the spoils and leave troubled West Ham cursing their inability to hang on to a two-goal lead
West Ham remain winless against Brighton in the Premier League (D3 L3), their last league victory against the Seagulls coming back in April
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