Nathan Jones hails Charlton for shutting out ‘noise’ to end winless run

Nathan Jones saw Charlton end their 11-match winless run with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United – and then admitted only their 2025 League One play-off final success over Leyton Orient was more satisfying.

The Addicks boss was feeling the heat with his side having not won since August 29, but Matty Godden’s second goal of the campaign secured a victory which opened up a seven-point gap over the bottom three.

Millenic Alli had fired the home team into a 12th-minute lead before Jordan Ayew put United, who came into the contest on a four-game unbeaten run, back on level terms.

“Relief is a big thing – emotionally – because of everything that has gone on,” said Jones. “That was more like us from start to finish. We were front-footed and had real control in our play.

“I’m really proud of the group, because they’ve had to cope with so much noise and pressure.

“We have lost five or six people this week through injury and what not. So to respond in the manner we did, apart from Wembley it is probably my favourite result at this football club.

“It was wonderful. It’s only one win, but it’s an important one. We won’t over-egg it because it is just one win.

“The crowd have been really good with me. I probably used up all their patience in midweek. Hopefully I’ve taken one step back into credit.

“We brought Matty here to finish chances. He did it and then injuries have robbed him of these opportunities.

“His movement is an example – Charlie Kelman and Miles Leaburn can learn from him. Goal-scorers are priceless and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Sheffield United missed the chance to move into the play-off places.

Blades manager Chris Wilder said: “You look at the results after we came in and you scratch your head. But the one we have to concentrate on is our own and we have not done enough things right.

“We didn’t capitalise on our moments to get the result we were all after.

“I’m not going to take a wrecking ball to it.

“There is always emotion in it – when you win then you’re going up and when you don’t then it is a different narrative.

“We will keep calm, like I have all the way through. I kept calm after we beat Wrexham, Bristol City and when we won on Tuesday. There are mini setbacks, mini highs and mini lows that we need to deal with.

“It is a missed opportunity. I’d have loved to have climbed into the top seven, but we need to rest and recover over the international break.

“It’s been a frustrating day. They have not had to work unbelievably hard for their goals.

“We have to be stronger in the lead up to the first one. Michael (Cooper) has been outstanding and it is a difficult one because it has dipped and bounced in front of him.

“The second one is the frustrating one. I played at full-back and there are going to be times that wingers go past you.

“The distances between Liam Kitching, Mark McGuinness and Japh (Tanganga) were too big. Godden is a goal-scorer and they allow him to get in front.

“It gave them a huge boost and huge energy.”