Charlton Athletic too strong in win over Blackpool

Blackpool have fallen to another Championship defeat with a 3-0 loss to Charlton Athletic at Bloomfield Road.

Charlton made a bright start to the game as a free kick caused problems for the home defence and created a chance for Chris Eagles, who fired just wide of the post.

Despite the early scare, Blackpool matched the visitors for much of the first half and were close to breaking the deadlock when Tom Barkhuzien's long-range strike drifted just over.

However, it was Charlton who took the lead in the 31st minute when Tony Watt found the space to force Joe Lewis into a save before Eagles latched on to the rebound to find the net against his former side.

Blackpool responded immediately to test Stephen Henderson through a David Perkins strike, but Charlton finished the first half strongly.

Lee Clark's side enjoyed another spell on top early in the second half before their bid for a positive result was dealt a blow just after the hour mark.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson was the creator as he drifted into space before playing an inch-perfect pass to Simon Church, who held his nerve to slot home his side's second of the game.

Blackpool should have set up a difficult finish to the game for Charlton, but Andrea Orlandi could only hit his shot over the crossbar after slipping at the back post.

Henderson protected Charlton's advantage with a fine save from Bright Osayi-Samuel's header late on, and the visitors completed the win when Gudmundsson curled a stunning free kick into the top corner.