West Ham were punished for slack defending and profligate finishing as Charlton snatched a 2–1 Championship win at London Stadium, a result that flew in the face of the game’s balance.

It was a stark contrast of styles: West Ham monopolised the ball, stitched endless passing patterns and racked up 25 attempts, while Charlton struck early, retreated into a deep shell and sprang forward only when opportunity beckoned. Crucially, Charlton made their moments count.

The opener came inside seven minutes, a long Carey throw bouncing untouched before Jones acrobatically hooked it into the corner. West Ham’s response was relentless but blunt. Piroe and Castellanos tested Okonkwo without stretching him, Bowen fired wide, and a succession of crosses were either delayed or floated straight into the goalkeeper’s gloves.

Charlton, meanwhile, were far more incisive with their limited possession. Campbell repeatedly unsettled the Hammers’ back line, Leaburn went close, and Carey forced Hermansen into action.

The pattern continued after the break until Mavropanos hesitated, Leaburn pounced, and Campbell strode through to lash in a ruthless second. West Ham surged forward with even greater urgency. Okonkwo denied Piroe twice and Bowen once, Orford and Castellanos headed off target, but eventually the pressure told: Okonkwo parried Castellanos’s shot and Piroe smashed in the rebound, becoming the Club’s 100th debutant goalscorer.

The final minutes were a siege. Mukasa was denied, Bowen flashed one just over, Hermansen thwarted Rankin-Costello at the other end, and then came the late twist: Orford’s shot struck Coventry’s arm, Kitchen pointed to the spot, but Castellanos clipped his penalty against the post. Seconds later, the whistle went and West Ham’s frustration was absolute - dominance without reward, undone by two decisive Charlton blows.

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Charlton Athletic:

Okonkwo, McNamara, Jones, Koumetio, Bell, Coventry, Chalobah (Rankin-Costello), Carey (Mwamba), Campbell, Grant (Sichenje), Leaburn (Mbick)