Charlton 3 v 1 Newcastle

Barclays Premiership

AFTER a difficult week, Addicks supporters had reason to cheer after Charlton were gifted three goals by a deflated Newcastle side.

In a match which saw former Valley favourite Scott Parker return in black and white and get booed with every touch of the ball, Charlton put a recent goal drought behind them to climb to 11th place in the Premiership.

Goals from Darren Bent and Jay Bothroyd sandwiched a Lee Bowyer own goal to cancel out a thunderous Parker strike.

Alan Curbishley said: "This was a big week for us and we didn't quite pull it off.

"I'm pleased it was a good game and it was set up in the second half. It did not look as if it was going to come but I am pleased it did in the end.

"It was quite an open game and we scored first which always helps. Newcastle are always a threat.

"When they brought on Kieron Dyer I thought it would open up and it did."

The returning Parker may have been fallen out of favour with Charlton supporters but his former manager.

Curbishley said: "The move was protracted.

"I wasn't going to let him go for the money we had been offered but we got £10m for him.

"Everyone here at the club appreciates what Scott Parker did for us."

Curbishley is aiming for a top-10 finish and to do well in the FA Cup.

He said: "I have everyone fit and I have never had that before, hopefully we will have a better run."

Darren Bent opened the scoring after Jerome Thomas was upended in the penalty area and Bent scored his 20th goal of the season.

Parker, appearing at his former club for the first time since his transfer to Chelsea two years ago, levelled the scores with his rasping drive on 35 minutes.

However, minutes later Toon defender Craig Moore tried to clear his lines but the ball ended up in his net after rebounding off former Addick Bowyer.

Newcastle, joint 13th with Charlton before kick-off, tried to rally their efforts in the second half but Bowyer's misfortune and their tired defence sealed their fate.

Charlton sealed the win with just two minutes left when Dennis Rommedahl's cross was emphatically headed home by fellow substitute Jay Bothroyd.

MATCH FACTS: CHARLTON: Myhre, 7; Young, 8; Hreidarsson, 7; Perry, 7; Powell, 6; Kishishev, 6; Holland, 7; Thomas, 7 (Rommedhal, 76); Hughes, 7; M Bent, 6 (Bothroyd, 88); D Bent, 7.

SUBS NOT USED: Andersen; Euell; Spector.

ATT: 27,019.