Celebrations: Charlton
(Picture: PA)Charlton stunned Premier League Brighton 4-3 on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2007.
The Addicks tiptoed their way to a goalless draw at full-time at The Valley, surviving a number of scares with the ball flashing across the face of their goal at least three times.
But in a turbulent shootout the Addicks held their nerve, with Sam Lavelle burying the winning spot-kick after Moises Caicedo failed to convert.
A raucous home support of more than 11,000 of a bumper 17,464 attendance had spent the last 10 minutes of normal time in a constant song. And once the nail-biting of the penalties was all over, the party started again as Charlton could hardly believe their triumph.
Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Solly March all failed from the spot in a nervy set of Brighton penalties. Jayden Stockley, George Dobson and Jes Rak-Sakyi all missed for Charlton, but Lavelle ended the sudden-death argument in style.
Incoming manager Dean Holden would have been delighted with what he saw from the stands, while all the unrest over Thomas Sandgaard’s ownership melted away in the joy of victory.
A raft of new off-field appointments this week might be designed to help Sandgaard’s hands-off approach from overseas finally bear fruit.
Charlton are also understood to be courting at least new investment and potentially a club sale though. And any interested parties will have been impressed by both the fan passion on a hectic night and also a gutsy home performance.
Charlton have not won since November, and technically the draw does not end that unwanted run. But try telling that to anyone in Addicks red.
