Boss Lee Bowyer hails ‘very professional’ Charlton display

Lee Bowyer hailed a “very professional” performance from his high-flying Charlton side as they ran out 3-0 winners at Shrewsbury.

Lyle Taylor gave the visitors a first-half lead before a fine strike from Darren Pratley and Karlan Grant’s late penalty wrapped up a good day’s work for the Addicks.

Boss Bowyer felt Taylor, Grant and Jonny Williams were “excellent” as fourth-placed Charlton delivered an impressive attacking display.

“I think we deserved it,” said Bowyer. “I think first half we didn’t pass it really, it was driving me crazy. Whenever we did, on the odd occasion, we passed through them and created chances.

“Then second half we pass it more and then we created chance after chance.

“Karlan could have had four. He missed three one-on-ones. Pat (Bauer) had a good header, should have scored.

“It should have been six or seven really – it could have been on another day.

“I thought the front three, Lyle, Karlan and Jonny were excellent and that’s what we have. We have good players that can hurt teams going the other way.

“We looked solid today. As a team performance, I think it was very professional and very good.”

Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts, whose side were unbeaten in their previous 10 home matches in league and cup, said: “First half, I thought we were good.

“I was really disappointed at coming in being behind first half because I thought we had the better chances.

“We had a great chance to get ahead in the game, didn’t take it, and then we concede off a set piece which is always disappointing, so as much as I wasn’t happy at half-time you could see an effort in the performance as such.

“Then second half, I just said to the players ‘it’s as disappointed as I’ve been since I’ve been here’.”

He added: “Obviously, the start of the second half wasn’t great. We gave them a few chances. We tried to continue like we were in the first half when we finished the first half strongly.

“We wanted to start the second like that and it didn’t happen. A few chances went against us and then we kind of lost our way a little bit.”