Charlton edge past nine-man Sheffield United with much-needed victory

Sonny Carey’s second-half goal earned Charlton a 1-0 victory over nine-man Sheffield United at the Valley.

Senegalese midfielder Djibril Soumare and captain Japhet Tanganga both saw red in the first half to leave Chris Wilder’s side with a huge uphill battle.

The Blades had dominated the Sky Bet Championship match before their two dismissals.

It took the visitors just 20 seconds to win the first of seven corners in the opening 45 minutes.

Referee OIiver Langford ignored Patrick Bamford’s appeals for a penalty after he went down under a challenge from Karoy Anderson on the left of the box.

Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski denied the in-form Bamford, who had scored six goals in his 11 appearances for United coming into the match in south-east London, at his near post.

Kaminski made an even better save in the 15th minute, sticking out his right leg to divert Tom Cannon’s shot over the crossbar.

Tyler Binden’s header dropped just wide of the left upright and Soumare hit the base of the right post shortly after the half-hour mark as the visitors bossed proceedings.

It looked a matter of time before the Blades made their superiority count, but Langford issued a straight red card to Soumare in the 35th minute after the midfielder produced an ugly, late, high tackle on Harvey Knibbs. Knibbs was carried off the pitch on a stretcher with what appeared to be an injury to his right ankle.

United’s task became even tougher in the second minute of stoppage time as centre-back Tanganga was also sent off. The centre-back led with his elbow as he caught Carey in an aerial duel.

Charlton went ahead in the 46th minute with Carey volleying home first time from substitute Lyndon Dykes’ knockdown. It was the midfielder’s sixth goal of the campaign and ended a barren run of 12 games without netting.

Tyreece Campbell went close to a second in the 54th minute, but Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper got down smartly to only concede a corner.

But the floodgates did not open for the Addicks, who found it hard to carve out openings and their patient approach play frustrated the home support.

Carey had a goalbound attempt blocked inside the box, with United substitute Gustavo Hamer blazing over at the other end.

Miles Leaburn had a chance to kill the match off in the closing stages, but Cooper pushed his strike out for a corner.

Andre Brooks cleared off his own goal-line to keep out Charlton skipper Lloyd Jones’ header, which also took a touch off Blades substitute Tyrese Campbell.