Knibbs late winner seals Watford defeat at Charlton

Watford lost 1-0 at Charlton Athletic after a stoppage-time set-piece finish amid a late penalty controversy.

Knibbs late winner seals Watford defeat at Charlton

Charlton Athletic grabbed a dramatic 1-0 win over Watford in the Championship opener, with Harvey Knibbs converting from a late set-piece in added time. The hosts started quickly, forcing Egil Selvik into an early save as Greg Docherty tested the Watford keeper. Watford responded with a series of attempts, including Kwadwo Baah’s long throw recycling into Moussa Sissoko’s effort that sailed high and wide, and a close-range shot blocked after a Kyprianou challenge.

Watford pushed into the second half but struggled to unlock Charlton’s defense. A flurry of activity around the hour mark saw Louza’s free-kick skim over Kaminski’s far post, and Irankunda had a major penalty appeal denied moments before the decisive moment. Charlton pressed for a winner and finally found it when a late set-piece was nodded home, denying Watford a point on their return to the league. Pezzolano responded with three fresh faces, while Selvik made several key saves to keep Watford in the game until the final moment.

The match underscored Watford’s need for a sharper cutting edge in attack and Vulnerability to late blocks from set-pieces. Charlton capitalized on a moment when Watford’s concentration slipped, turning a tense stalemate into a stoppage-time triumph. The decision to substitute at the hour marks suggests Pezzolano is searching for a balance between defensive solidity and attacking drive, but the late goal will sting and possibly shape early-season confidence. Officiating and a denied penalty claim added to the drama, highlighting how small margins can tilt a season’s opening result.

Highlights

Two teams start the season with lessons, not conclusions.