Charlton 4-0 Carlisle

Dale Stephens was unavailable for selection after the birth of his child last night, so there were two changes from the side which suffered its first league defeat last weekend at Stevenage.

In came Andy Hughes and back into the starting line up was Chris Solly, with Leon Cort dropping to the bench.

Danny Green tested Carlisle keeper Adam Collin on three minutes with a low drive from just outside of the area but there was nobody to get on the end of the rebound and the danger was cleared.

Carlisle had James Tavernier to thank for prevented Johnnie Jackson connecting with Yan Kermorgant's flick on from Danny Green's cross.

Bradley Wright-Phillips broke the offside trap but couldn't quite believe he had and his eventual shot was blocked by a Carlisle defender.

But the home side didn't have long to wait to get their noses in front when they took the lead on 14 minutes.

Jackson released Rhoys Wiggins down the left and his inviting cross was headed home by Kermorgant from six yards.

The advantage was doubled seven minutes later and it was keeper Ben Hamer who turned provider with a long punt up field, which James Tavernier failed to deal with and Wright-Phillips got in in front of him before slotting a low shot past Collin.

Kermorgant's header from Green's 24th minute cross required Collin to make a save, while Matt Robson's free-kick at the other end had to be pushed out by Hamer.

Michael Morrison had to scramble the danger clear on the half hour after Rory Loy broke into the box and put in a dangerous low delivery.

But the outcome of the game was put beyond doubt eight minutes before the break when Charlton added a third.

Wright-Phillips had two initial shots cleared off the line so it was a case of third time lucky when Kermorgant shot home for his second of the match.

It could have been four on 40 minutes when Green's cross was put behind by Danny Livesey, who can consider himself fortunate not to have put it in his own net.

Carlisle's miserable first half was summed up a minute before the break when Matt Robson, who had been booked for an earlier foul on Green, tripped Wright-Phillips just outside of the area and picked up a second caution and a red card.

Charlton started the second period as they had the first by going on the attack and Green can consider himself unfortunate not to have scored straight from a corner.

However, it wasn't long before they added to their tally in comical circumstances when Danny Hollands' shot from 20 yards went straight through the legs of Collin and into the back of the net.

The Carlisle keeper probably wanted the ground to open up and swallow him at this point but there was only 48 minutes of the clock and still plenty of time for him to concede more.

Having said that, it was his side who had the next opportunity to score after Michael Morrison handled in the area from a cross and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

But Carlisle were unable to make the most of the 56th minute lifeline as Hamer saved James Berrett's penalty to keep Charlton on course for a clean sheet.

The Addicks had a penalty claim of their own ignored 11 minutes later after Livesey charged down Wiggins' shot, although the referee was having none of it and allowed play to continue.

Chris Powell made his first change of the game on 69 minutes by taking off the impressive Green for Scott Wagstaff and Hollands made way for Jason Euell four minutes later.

Paul Hayes completed the trio of subs in the 78th minute by coming on for Wright-Phillips, meaning Kermorgant at least had the chance to complete his hat-trick.

Instead he picked up an 88th minute yellow card for a late tackle on Francois Zoko but he will care little on a memorable day for the table-toppers.

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Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Taylor, Morrison, Green (Wagstaff 69), Hughes, Hollands (Euell 73), Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Hayes 78). Subs not used: Sullivan, Cort. Att: 16,741.