Tyreece Campbell kept his strong start to the new campaign alive, delivering an 80th‑minute strike that secured a 2‑1 win for Charlton against Derby at The Valley. The victory arrived on the heels of a turbulent week for the Rams, who saw the proposed takeover by Saudi official Turki Alalshikh collapse on Monday, casting a shadow over their recent performances.
Derby had taken the lead at the break thanks to Sammie Szmodics, who had also found the net in the EFL Cup defeat to Lincoln. However, Charlton responded quickly. Lloyd Jones – fresh off a new two‑year contract signed on Friday – rose to meet a cross and headed the ball level, setting the stage for Campbell’s decisive finish that handed Nathan Jones’ side the full three points.
The match began on a hopeful note for the Addicks. Billy Koumetio headed wide from an early corner delivered by Sonny Carey, while Karlan Grant, celebrating his 100th appearance after re‑joining the club in the summer, struck a powerful shot straight at Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Grant then created a chance for Carey, but the attacking midfielder mishit the ball badly in the 16th minute, squandering an early opportunity. Derby enjoyed a spell of possession and eventually broke the deadlock.
Szmodics met a low cross from Joe Ward with a first‑time effort that was saved by Charlton keeper Will Mannion. A few moments later, Szmodics found space inside the box and, after being pinpointed by teammate Morris, calmly slotted the ball past Mannion to give the Rams the lead. Charlton’s defence was tested throughout the first half.
Taylor made a sliding tackle to block a shot from Danny McNamara, and Zetterstrom had to use his legs to parry a near‑post attempt by Campbell. Referee Ben Speedie declined Derby’s appeals for a penalty when Carey went down after a challenge from Lewis Travis.
Szmodics, who appeared to be nursing a minor injury from the warm‑up, was forced off in the 54th minute and was replaced by new signing Alex Mowatt. The deadlock was broken in the 61st minute when Charlton centre‑back Jones, captaining the side in the absence of Greg Docherty, rose above the defence to head Grant’s floated cross into the net, restoring parity. Mannion, still a little nervous dealing with aerial balls, stretched fully to deflect Oscar Fraulo’s 20‑yard strike onto his own left post.
Campbell proved the most dangerous outlet for the Addicks. Using his weaker left foot, he unleashed a superb strike that slipped past Zetterstrom at the near post, giving Charlton a 2‑1 lead for the first time that afternoon. The 22‑year‑old’s goal was his second of the season, already matching the total he scored in the entire previous campaign.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were added, but Charlton held firm against a late Derby surge. Morris attempted to clear a cross from Max Johnston, but his clearance landed straight at Mannion, who collected the ball safely. The result left Charlton’s manager Nathan Jones jubilant. "I’m really pleased – the result is everything and we’ve integrated a lot of new signings.
We had a captain’s goal where he gets over the back and scores a great header. With TC, he gets in those positions all the time and in one‑v‑one he is a threat. We just want the outcomes from him," Jones said. He praised Campbell’s positioning and finishing, recalling a recent missed chance that hit the bar before the striker found the net in the EFL Cup against Cheltenham.
Jones added that negotiations are ongoing to secure Campbell’s future, emphasizing the squad’s improved depth compared with last season, when injuries exposed a lack of cover. Derby’s manager John Eustace expressed disappointment. "I’m really disappointed to lose. I didn’t think there was much in the game.
We limited Charlton to no chances, really, so the two goals we conceded were sloppy from a defensive point of view. If we want to pick up points then we’ve got to be better than that," he said.
Eustace highlighted defensive lapses, noting that the team failed to clear crosses and lost structure after conceding the second goal. He also mentioned the age of centre‑half Craig Forsyth, who at 37 is still performing admirably, and praised the overall effort and attitude of his squad. Regarding Szmodics, Eustace noted a slight tweak in the warm‑up that made his start a big ask, but praised the striker’s professionalism in handling the setback.
Overall, the match showcased Charlton’s resilience and the impact of recent signings, while Derby will need to address defensive organization and squad depth if they hope to bounce back after a week marked by off‑field uncertainty. The win also underlines the importance of late‑game composure, as Campbell’s late strike turned a tightly contested encounter into a decisive victory for the Addicks.