Charlton secured the top spot in the Championship after a hard‑fought 1-0 win over a struggling Preston side. The decisive goal came from Karlan Grant, who netted his first for the Addicks since re‑joining the club on a free transfer from West Brom. With that strike, the south‑London outfit remain the only team in the division boasting a 100% record after three matches, a feat they have not achieved in the second tier since the 1992‑93 season. Manager Nathan Jones made a single alteration to the line‑up that saw Ivan Mesik come on for the injured Billy Koumetio, who had pulled a hamstring during the heavy Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham earlier in the week.
New arrivals Stanley Mills and Caleb Wiley were named among the substitutes, indicating Jones’s intent to integrate fresh talent as the campaign progresses. The opening half was a cautious affair, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities.
Charlton found it difficult to carve out space against a well‑organized Preston defence. The visitors enjoyed the first genuine chance in the 30th minute when Callum Lang rose to meet a left‑wing cross from Andrija Vukčević, but his header failed to find the target.
Charlton goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, on loan from Wrexham and making his first home appearance, was not called upon for a save before the interval. Defensive solidity was on display when Amari'i Bell made a timely intervention to deny Lang, who had briefly gotten behind the Jamaican international.
Charlton’s first real threat arrived in the 37th minute: Miles Leaburn rose strongly from a Tyreece Campbell delivery, directing a header narrowly wide of the left post. In first‑half stoppage time, Grant attempted a long‑range free‑kick from about 30 yards, but the ball drifted harmlessly away, leaving Preston keeper Daniel Iversen untouched.
The second half began with Okonkwo forced into action, making a crucial block to stop Delano Burgzorg from finding a clear path. Harry Clarke, who spent the latter part of last season on loan from Ipswich, struck a right‑footed shot that clanged into the Jimmy Seed Stand, providing a warning sign for Preston. Six minutes later, Grant seized the moment.
After receiving a pass from substitute Millenic Alli, he cut inside the box, created a better angle and slipped a low, well‑placed finish past Iversen to give Charlton a 1-0 lead. Preston attempted to respond. Captain Lewis Gibson found centre‑back Liam Lindsay with a ball in the six‑yard area, but Lindsay could only flick the effort over the bar.
Charlton continued to press for a second goal; Leaburn smashed a powerful shot over the crossbar, while substitute Alan Mwamba saw his effort blocked. Referee Tom Reeves missed an incident in stoppage time when Grant’s follow‑up strike struck Harry Clarke’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area, a potential penalty that went unawarded. Later, Alli forced Iversen into a diving save with a ferocious drive, but the keeper managed to keep the ball out.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom introduced Mills for his debut in the closing minutes, yet the newcomer could not influence the outcome. The match ended with Charlton maintaining their unbeaten run, while Preston suffered their third consecutive defeat, highlighting a lack of spark and cohesion in the SE7 side.
After the game, Nathan Jones offered a measured perspective: "It’s three games, not a season. We’ll enjoy a couple of points tonight but then we turn our focus to West Brom on Wednesday. No one can claim anything yet. If I had a time machine I’d jump to May and picture us in the Premier League, but that’s not reality.
We deserved the win – they only had one chance all game, and we kept them contained. We stuck to our shape, believed in our plan, and were excellent, though we could have been sharper in the second half. It’s not just about being top; it’s about nine points from three games and the manner in which we earned them." Heckingbottom, reflecting on his side’s performance, admitted the shortcomings: "We were solid in both boxes until they scored, then everything fell apart. It was a terrible goal, very poor.
With the control we had we should have created more. When we chased the game, they found more opportunities, especially because we left space by playing a 4‑2‑4. I know what’s missing and we’ll work on it. Charlton were clinical – they put the ball in the net at the right moment.
I could have taken a worse performance, but at least we got a point. We had spells of control, but ultimately it’s about winning.
Everyone is gutted; it’s frustrating. You have to make the ball go in, not feel sorry for yourself." The result underscores Charlton’s early dominance in the league and sets a benchmark for the rest of the season, while Preston must regroup quickly to halt their slide and rediscover the attacking edge that has been lacking in recent weeks.