Chelsea 2 Charlton 1

By Phil Casey, PA Sport

Gustavo Poyet snatched a dramatic late winner to deny Charlton a deserved point in a frantic match at Stamford Bridge.

Eddie Youds looked set to be the Charlton hero for the second game running after his winner at Nottingham Forest when his 58th minute strike cancelled out Frank Leboeuf's first-half penalty.

But Uruguayan international Poyet had other ideas as he powered home an 87th minute header from Dennis Wise's corner for his fourth goal of the season to seal all three points for the home side.

Charlton's misery was completed by an injury to goalkeeper Sasa Ilic, who had to be stretchered off after being knocked unconscious in a challenge with Pierluigi Casiraghi just before half time.

Casiraghi appeared to catch Ilic on the chin as the keeper bravely came off his line to deny the Italian. The Charlton management were furious the Blues striker escaped punishment when he looked to have his studs up, and Addicks boss Alan Curbishley confronted referee Steve Dunn at half time.

It had been Ilic who conceded the 17th minute penalty that gave Chelsea the lead when he brought down Casiraghi who had been put through by Zola. The keeper was booked for the foul and Leboeuf made no mistake from the spot for his third goal of the season, somewhat against the run of play.

Charlton had almost got off to the perfect start as they started brightly and forced the home side onto the back foot.

After four minutes Danny Mills' run down the right was cut out by Leboeuf but the Frenchman's back-pass fell short of Ed De Goey. Clive Mendonca intercepted and rounded the prone keeper but his low cross flew across the face of goal.

Mark Kinsella's free-kick was then scrambled away by De Goey at his far post before Tiler's goal-bound effort from De Goey's punched clearance was blocked in the area.

At the other end, Poyet should have done better when put clear by Gianfranco Zola but the Uruguayan chose to cross when he had time to take on Ilic.

Despite Charlton's early pressure however it was the home side who took the lead from the penalty spot after 17 minutes.

Zola's ball released Casiraghi and as the Italian tried to round Ilic the goalkeeper brought him down and Mr Dunn had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The tide had firmly turned in Chelsea's favour and they could have been two ahead on 22 minutes.

Zola's sublime 40 yard cross-field ball again released Casiraghi and it deserved a better finish than the striker could provide, his first touch taking him slightly wide before he fired over the bar from a narrow angle.

Charlton could only muster a weak Neil Redfearn effort on target which was comfortably held by De Goey and were grateful to Ilic for bravely saving at Casiraghi's feet after the offside trap was sprung again.

Ilic however paid the price for his bravery as he was caught by Casiraghi and had to be substituted, Andy Petterson coming on for his Premiership debut.

Charlton started the second half as they had begun the first and pinned Chelsea back in their own half before being given a warning that the Blues were still dangerous on the counter attack.

A swift break involving Laudrup and Zola saw Laudrup bring a good save from Petterson after 53 minutes.

But five minutes later Charlton got the goal their second-half display deserved to level the scores. Youds pounced on a loose ball in the area and turned quickly before planting a left foot shot past De Goey.

Charlton now looked more likely to find the winner and England Under-21 international Mills saw his brilliant left foot drive acrobatically tipped over by De Goey.

Chelsea hadn't given up hope either however and Poyet's header was cleared off the line by Kinsella.

But that was only delaying matters, Poyet netting his fourth of the season with a header from substitute Wise's corner three minutes from time.

Teams

Chelsea: De Goey, Babayaro, Leboeuf, Desailly (Wise 54), Laudrup, Poyet, Casiraghi (Flo 73), Duberry, Di Matteo, Ferrer, Zola (Petrescu 73).

Subs Not Used: Hitchcock, Lambourde.

Booked: Ferrer, Di Matteo, Wise, Leboeuf.

Goals: Leboeuf 18 pen, Poyet 88.

Charlton: Ilic (Petterson 44), Mills, Powell, Redfearn, Rufus, Youds, Kinsella (Jones 84), Hunt, Mendonca, Mortimer (Robinson 76), Tiler.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Bright.

Booked: Ilic, Tiler, Rufus.

Goals: Youds 58.

Att: 34,639

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).