Manchester City slumped to second-from-bottom of the Premiership after being sunk by Charlton at Maine Road.

Two goals from Finland striker Jonatan Johansson brought Charlton their first victory outside The Valley in seven games.

But the misery goes on for City, who have now lost eight of their last 11 league games.

They shot themselves in the foot with a series of defensive blunders and City now face a fight to avoid the drop and a swift return to the first division.

Striker Darren Huckerby had to settle for a place on the bench for City following his £2.5million move from Leeds, but came on to score a late consolation from the spot.

Keeper Nicky Weaver needed to come to City's rescue as soon as the 10th minute. Weaver reacted superbly to palm away an inswinging free-kick from Claus Jensen from the edge of the area.

It was an anxious moment for the home side, who looked nervous in the opening stages.

Charlton were playing some nice football and Johansson saw a shot drift wide of the post after Mark Fish had played it into his path.

Radostin Kishishev made a vital interception for Charlton as Paul Dickov tried to pick out Kevin Horlock on the edge of the area.

Charlton took the lead after 26 minutes after some slack play in the City defence with Richard Dunne failing to clear his lines.

The ball fell to Johansson and he tucked it away for his 11th goal of the season.

City suffered another blow in the 28th minute when Horlock was forced to come off. He was replaced by Ian Bishop.

City were guilty of another defensive blunder in the 32nd minute and Johansson added a second goal.

Keeper Weaver tried to pick out Danny Tiatto on the left but instead his clearance landed at the feet of Kishishev.

He raced on before squaring the ball into the path of Johansson, who showed remarkable coolness to drill it high into the net.

City manager Joe Royle then decided to switch things around in the 41st minute, bringing off defender Laurent Charvet and replacing him with Huckerby.

Johansson had a chance of grabbing his hat-trick in the 44th minute when he broke clear. But his weak chip was easily taken by Weaver.

City were desperate to get back in the game and made a bright start in the second half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, who had been busy and inventive, saw a shot go narrowly wide of the post after Richard Rufus had headed away a cross from Dickov.

The Scottish striker had been putting himself about a bit and was replaced by Danny Granville in the 56th minute.

City were having plenty of possession with the visitors sitting deep but their play lacked any real conviction.

Huckerby won a corner on the right but Bishop's inswinger was cleared by Shaun Bartlett.

Johansson found himself in the clear in the 67th minute but lofted his effort over the top after Bartlett had played the ball across the face of the area.

Charlton added a third with 11 minutes to go and the City fans responded by streaming out of the ground.

Steve Howey brought down John Robinson and Graham Stuart sent Weaver the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Jensen grabbed a bizarre fourth with a minute to go after Howey's clearance cannoned off him 30 yards out and flew past Weaver.

Huckerby scored a consolation for City from the spot on full-time after being brought down by Kishishev.

Teams

Man City: Weaver, Haaland, Tiatto, Howey, Charvet (Huckerby 40), Dunne, Wiekens, Horlock (Bishop 28), Wright-Phillips, Dickov (Granville 57), Goater.

Subs Not Used: Prior, Wright.

Booked: Dickov.

Goals: Huckerby 90 pen.

Charlton: Kiely, Konchesky, Rufus, Fish, Todd, Kishishev, Parker (Robinson 72), Jensen, Johansson (Brown 83), Stuart, Bartlett (Pringle 72).

Subs Not Used: Powell, Caig.

Booked: Rufus, Stuart.

Goals: Johansson 26, 37, Stuart 79 pen, Jensen 89.

Att: 33,280

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).