Charlton Secure Championship Safety with Vital Win Over Hull, Denting Tigers' Play-Off Hopes

Charlton Secure Championship Safety with Vital Win Over Hull, Denting Tigers' Play-Off Hopes

Charlton Athletic clinched their Sky Bet Championship safety in dramatic fashion at The Valley, edging out Hull City 2-1 and dealing a significant blow to the Tigers' play-off ambitions. The result ended a seven-match winless run for the Addicks and mathematically guaranteed their place in the second tier for another season.

Jayden Fevrier's stunning second-half strike proved decisive, but it was Charlie Kelman who opened the scoring with a moment of brilliance in the 20th minute. Racing onto Conor Coady's incisive through ball, Kelman cut inside Semi Ajayi and curled a sublime effort into the top-right corner from the edge of the box.

Hull, who have now gone six games without a win and taken just four points from a possible 18, struggled to find rhythm. Their cause was not helped by an early injury to Eliot Matazo, making his first appearance since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in February 2025, who was forced off in the 11th minute.

The Tigers equalised deep into first-half stoppage time through John Egan. A costly mistake by Charlton's Harry Clarke, whose misdirected header conceded a corner under little pressure, led to Paddy McNair's delivery being nodded home by Egan from a tight angle. Goal-line technology confirmed the ball had crossed the line before being cleared.

Fevrier restored the hosts' lead in the 68th minute with a goal of individual brilliance. The on-loan Stockport forward weaved through the Hull defence before unleashing a low left-footed drive from 20 yards past Ivor Pandur. It marked the first time Charlton have scored twice in a Championship match since January 31.

Hull pushed for an equaliser, with Thomas Kaminski making a crucial save from Mohamed Belloumi and surviving a scare when his poor punch fell to McNair, but the Irishman failed to connect cleanly. Lyndon Dykes forced a fingertip save from Pandur at the other end, while Fevrier was denied a second by a stoppage-time goal-line clearance.

The defeat leaves Hull outside the top six, unable to leapfrog Wrexham, and with their play-off hopes hanging by a thread. Charlton, meanwhile, can look forward to another season in the Championship after a nervy campaign.

Key Takeaways

• Safety Secured: Charlton mathematically avoided relegation with this win.
• Play-Off Blow: Hull have now taken only four points from their last six games.
• Fevrier's Finest: The on-loan forward scored a sensational winner, his second goal for the club.
• Early Injury: Eliot Matazo's comeback lasted just 11 minutes before he was substituted.
• Goal-Line Drama: Technology confirmed Egan's equaliser had crossed the line.

Source: Sky Sports

For more on Charlton's season, visit Charlton Athletic club page. To follow Hull's play-off chase, see Hull City updates.