Goals from strikers Matt Svensson and Shaun Bartlett propelled Charlton up to
seventh in the Premiership and extended Newcastle's miserable record in the
capital.
It is now 24 matches in London without a victory for the Magpies, and this
latest setback provided Charlton with a double over Bobby Robson's men.
The relegation issue is already a distant memory for the First Division
champions, who have reached the magical 40-point mark associated with avoiding
the drop with 11 matches still remaining.
Alan Curbishley's side, now unbeaten in seven league outings, also confirmed
their best run in the top flight for nigh on half a century.
Robert Lee, whose £700,000 move to Newcastle from Charlton almost a decade ago
helped finance the move back to The Valley, received a rapturous reception from
the home fans both before the match and on his second-half departure.
Curbishley's opposite number Bobby Robson presented him before kick-off with a
memento to mark his 500th match in charge.
Charlton's first flag-kick brought an initial clear-cut chance with Richard
Rufus stealing in front of Marcelino to meet Claus Jensen's eighth-minute
delivery only to glance his header wide.
The hosts' measured approach play should have seen them take the lead in the
16th minute. But Svensson, charging onto Chris Powell's deep left-wing cross,
outclimbed the Newcastle defence and nodded it down the wrong side of the
upright.
Charlton continued to press for the opener, and Radostin Kishishev dragged a
left-foot effort off target before Bartlett came within close to netting.
Graham Stuart swung in a ball from the right, and the South African's forehead
powered it goalward only for Shay Given's fingertips to divert it on to the
woodwork.
The Addicks refused to be put off by the near miss, and the next time a cross
arrowed on to the head of Bartlett they found their reward.
A patient build-up - including a cheeky nutmeg by Kishishev on Lee - saw
Jensen, who evaded a half-hearted challenge by Nolberto Solano, find Powell on
the left. The wing-back's centre was cushioned into the path of strike partner
Svensson by Bartlett for the Swede to volley past a helpless Given.
With Charlton rampant, Svensson's reactions could have provided him with a
second - but he guided Mark Fish's header from a Jensen corner for a goal-kick.
The 37th-minute opener was followed by a controversial second before the break
which resulted in black-and-white shirts besieging referee Paul Durkin.
As the Newcastle back line hesitated in the hope of an offside, linesman
Graeme Atkins raised his flag - but not for an infringement against the
attacking side, rather a handball decision against Aaron Hughes.
Referee Durkin ushered play on, and Svensson returned the compliment for
fellow forward Bartlett to slam in with his left foot at the far post after the
ball had spun off Warren Barton as the full-back desperately lunged to clear.
Robson attempted to provide a more attacking edge at the beginning of the
second period, with Clarence Acuna vacating midfield to be replaced by Kevin
Gallacher just short of the hour.
The change seemed to have immediate effects.
Sasa Ilic was forced to hold Lee's 30-yard drive in the 62nd minute, and the
Addicks goalkeeper's first save of note was swiftly followed by a more
impressive stop from Shola Ameobi.
Ilic, deputising for the injured Dean Kiely, flung himself to his right to
touch a shot from the edge of the box around his right-hand post.
Curbishley was confident enough to introduce Jonatan Johansson and Mark
Kinsella in the closing stages.
Ilic ensured that for the eighth time in nine Premiership wins at The Valley
the opposition would fail to register with a smart stop down to his left at the
death from Gallacher.
Teams
Charlton: Ilic, Rufus, Todd, Fish, Kishishev (Robinson 83),
Parker (Kinsella 90), Jensen, Stuart, Powell, Svensson,
Bartlett (Johansson 77).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Caig.
Booked: Parker, Svensson.
Goals: Svensson 37, Bartlett 43.
Newcastle: Given, Barton, Marcelino, Hughes, Quinn,
Solano (Lua-Lua 73), Acuna (Gallacher 59), Lee (Bassedas 72),
Speed, Dyer, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Griffin, Harper.
Booked: Barton.
Att: 20,043
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).
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