Norwich moved into the Sky Bet Championship top 10 as Pelle Mattsson’s early goal secured a 1-0 victory at Charlton.
The Canaries went ahead in the fifth minute at The Valley, the 24-year-old midfielder bagging his first goal since he joined from Silkeborg last summer.
Ali Ahmed’s pass set up a shooting chance for the Dane on the edge of the penalty area and he sent a right-footed strike through a packed box and beyond Addicks goalkeeper Will Mannion.
Paris Maghoma gave the hosts a headache with his movement and went close to extending City’s lead in the 14th minute. Kenny McLean slipped the ball to the right winger and it needed a smart diving save from Mannion to only concede a corner.
Maghoma was involved in a breakaway chance in the 26th minute. He cued up a chance for Mathias Kvistgaarden, who cut inside Lloyd Jones but sent his low shot past the far upright.
Mannion tipped over a Maghoma cross which threatened to creep under his crossbar with Charlton, unbeaten in three league games heading into the contest, unable to seriously test Norwich number one Vladan Kovacevic in the opening 45 minutes.
Both Maghoma and Kellen Fisher produced poor finishes before the break as Norwich’s fluid interplay allowed them to exploit space.
Charlton’s potency increased once Miles Leaburn replaced Luke Chambers with Tyreece Campbell switched to left wing-back.
Kayne Ramsay headed Sonny Carey’s deep corner in the 65th minute against the crossbar from close range with Harry Clarke’s follow-up attempt blocked.
Referee Will Finnie waved away Charlton penalty appeals after Ruairi McConville appeared to grab the arm of Lloyd Jones.
Moments later Clarke arrived on to a dangerous Campbell cross but was unable to keep his header down.
Norwich continued to be a threat on the counter, particularly with the Addicks committing more players forward in search of a leveller.
Kvistgaarden picked out Maghoma at the back post but the City attacker was unable to turn the ball home.
Mannion made an excellent reaction save to keep out a deflected Maghoma shot in the 70th minute as the game became more stretched.
McConville produced a big block on a Carey shot with Norwich happy to run the clock down; Kellen Fisher was booked for time-wasting just past the hour mark.
Charlton had one chance deep into the five minutes of additional time, Carey dropped to the turf in dismay after his shot flashed wide of Kovacevic’s goal.
The managers
Charlton’s Nathan Jones:
To follow…
Norwich’s Philippe Clement:
To follow…
