Man Utd outgun Charlton

Solskjaer strikes again... and again

Charlton 0-2 Manchester United
E-mail your reaction to Football Talk

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fired Manchester United back to the top of the Premiership with a goal in each half against Charlton.

The Norwegian's first was a strike of sheer class after he was set up by Roy Keane's sumptuous 50-yard cross-field pass.

And his second bore all the hallmarks of a typical predator's strike, Solskjaer mopping up Ryan Giggs' left-overs.

Charlton put up a gutsy display, but were undone by some sloppy defending on which the Premiership champions capitalised fully.

  Key incidents

33 mins: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finishes with aplomb from Roy Keane's exquisite pass

62 mins: Graham Stuart finds net but goal is ruled out for offside

74 mins: Solskjaer squeezes in second from a tight angle

The game started brightly, with Charlton taking advantage of the swirling wind behind them.

Despite United retaining the same back four for the 11th consecutive game, a distinct lack of communication allowed the Addicks to exert some good early pressure.

Jason Euell and Kevin Lisbie loitered with intent, but United keeper Roy Carroll, in for the injured Fabien Barthez, remained focused.

While Alan Curbishley's men acquitted themselves well, midway through the first half United began to establish a rhythm to their game.

Giggs saw his shot flash wide after some fine interplay between Keane and Solskjaer.

I just try to make the decision difficult for the manager to leave me out next time

Man Utd striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The United captain then forced a excellent save out of Dean Kiely with an instinctive strike from Paul Scholes' lay-off.

Keane, who once again covered every blade of grass in United's midfield, then turned provider.

The Irish international's exquisite pass found Solskjaer, whose superb first touch was matched by a finish of the highest order.

The Norwegian striker rarely misses such chances, but questions will be asked of Mark Fish's defending after allowing Keane's cross to go over his head.

Euell guilty of a bad miss

Charlton did not let the goal dampen their spirits and they pushed on in search of an equaliser.

Poor United defending allowed Euell a chance to pull one back for the home side, but Carroll saved at the second time of asking.

After the interval, Euell really should have restored parity. However, he misdirected his header from close range.

We set out to try and keep it tight early on and still be in the game but Solskjaer's finish was fantastic

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley

Graham Stuart did find the back of the net on 62 minutes, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

And despite Charlton's endeavour, United doubled their lead against the run of play.

The unstoppable Keane set off on another run from deep in his own half, finding Beckham on the left.

The England captain effortlessly found Giggs who, appearing to nudge Lisbie in the build-up, unleashed a wicked shot.

Kiely could only manage to palm the ball into the path of Solskjaer, who squeezed his shot in from the tightest of angles and where Chris Powell should have done better for Charlton.

---

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Costa, Fish, Powell, Robinson, Bart-Williams, Parker, Stuart (Svensson 72), Euell (Johansson 82), Lisbie (Konchesky 82).
Subs Not Used: Ilic, Fortune.

Man Utd: Carroll, Phil Neville, Blanc, Gary Neville, Silvestre, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs (Butt 88), van Nistelrooy (Veron 66), Solskjaer (Forlan 78).
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Irwin.
Booked: Phil Neville.

Att: 26,475

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).